FTSE at two-month high but investors puzzle over Barclays

The FTSE 100 has risen in early trading, building on recent gains, but Barclays' share price remains volatile as investors react to CEO Bob Diamond's resignation.

London's blue chip index stood up 0.3% at 5,658 in early trading, having risen for each of the last four weeks and adding a further 1.4% yesterday to reach its highest level since 8 May. France's Cac 40 and Germany's Dax were both up by 0.5% respectively, Japan's Nikkei having closed 0.7% higher at 9,067 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index rising 1.3% to 19,698 as positive sentiment prevailed. But investors' reaction to the departure of Barclays CEO Diamond was less clear. The bank's shares opened down 3% before reversing that drop to stand 2.9% higher following the latest development in ...