FTSE edges higher ahead of US jobs report

The FTSE 100 was trading higher this morning ahead of the release of a crucial jobs report in the US which will indicate how the recovery is progressing.

By 10:30am, the blue chip index was up 17 points or 0.3%, at 5,641.73, as a range of shares including Vodafone firmed up the market. The telecoms giant was ahead 1.95% or 3.45p to 180.75p, after Goldman Sachs analysts upgraded the stock. However, the rally was effectively capped by the impending non-farm payrolls report from the US. The headline number from the world's largest economy is expected to show 150,000 new jobs were created in December, versus growth of 130,000 the previous month. European markets were also stronger amid the ongoing sovereign debt crisis, with the Fren...