Afternoon Markets: Tech stocks lift Dow

US blue chip stocks edged up in early exchanges, echoing gains in stock markets across Europe and Asia.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average added more than 21 points, or 0.2%, to trade at 9,602.16 at just before 1500 BST. An improved revenue forecast from US computer chip firm Intel sent its shares up more than 5% to $20.52. Shares in other technology firms also rose on investor hopes an economic recovery will boost the sector, with Microsoft up 2.8% to $25.39 and Hewlett Packard adding 1.45%. Meanwhile, in the UK, a buoyant mood sparked by positive GDP data helped keep the FTSE ahead before the weekend, with the index up more than 1% to 4,922.67. Lloyds Banking Group dominated the i...