FTSE buoyed by two-year high on Wall Street

London’s leading share index was boosted this morning by a two-year high on Wall Street, following robust earnings reports and positive economic data.

The FTSE 100 rose 0.15% to 6,094.40 in early trade, after US blue chips pushed the Dow Jones up 0.49% to 12,287.1.

US markets were buoyed by positive company results from Dell, with the computer giant's fourth quarter earnings nearly tripling, sending shares up 12%. Predictions by the Federal Reserve growth could hit between 3.4% and 3.9% this year also boosted sentiment.

In the UK, this morning's winners were African Barrick Gold, climbing 2.44%, Royal Bank of Scotland, up 2.35%, Essar Energy, up 1.43%, Eurasian Natural Resources, rising 1.19% and Reckitt Benckiser Group, up 1.16%.

However, BAE Systems lost the most, down 2.02%, followed by Reed Elesvier, down 1.31%, ARM Holdings, falling 1.02%, Shire, down 0.69% and Pearson, dropping 0.67%.

Germany's Dax was up 0.05% at 7418.28 while France's Cac 40 also climbed 0.05% to 4153.21.

In Asia, the Nikkei 225 hit a nine-month high, bolstered by a weaker yen. The index was up 61.62 points, or 0.57%, to 10,808.29.