London shares started the week in upbeat fashion today after a strong overnight performance in Asia.
The FTSE 100 Index built on the 60-point gain achieved last week, moving nine points ahead to 4559.8 in the first hour of trading.
Meanwhile, FTSE 250 stock Bovis Homes moved 7.5p ahead to 564p after it posted a 46% increase in half yearly pretax profits to £67.2m.
In Japan, the Nikkei finished the session 222 points to the good amid a renewed appetite for shipping, steel and car making stocks following an upbeat capital spending survey.
The FTSE’s early gains came despite a downbeat end to last week on Wall Street, where the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed Friday 30 points adrift.
ITV was near the top of the FTSE risers in London after the newly merged group said non-executive director Etienne de Villiers was stepping down.
Press reports said his departure could pave the way for new group chairman Sir Peter Burt to introduce new blood to the board. Shares were up 1.25p at 105.25p.
But shares in bookie William Hill went the other way, topping the FTSE fallers with a 4% or 23.5p drop to 519p, despite news that it had increased half yearly pretax profits by 29% to £131.2m in the 26 weeks to 29 June.
References: EGi News 06/09/04
