FTSE breaks 6,600 barrier for first time since 2007

London blue-chip index has crossed the threshold level of 6,600 for the first time since 2007 after a seven-day climb.

The benchmark index broke the barrier in early morning trading and was up as high as 6,638 at noon. The last time the FTSE 100 reached 6,600 was in October 2007, before the onset of the financial crisis. The biggest contributor to today's the rally was BT Group, which saw its shares rise more than 12%, pulling back to stand 10% higher at 304p by early afternoon. This morning the group reported forecast-beating results, including a 2% rise in pre-tax profits. Year to date, the FTSE 100 is now up 14%, having finished 2012 at 5,898. Other global equity markets have also seen a s...