M&A news pushes FTSE higher

Experian posted the biggest gains with a rise of 3.91% to 598.5p, on reports US peer Acxiom has accepted a $3bn takeover deal, while Old Mutual climbed 2.5% to 180.3p on a broker upgrade. Oil companies also gained as Royal Dutch Shell ‘A’ stocks added 3.04% to £18.31, while Royal Dutch Shell ‘B’ shares climbed 3.68% to £18.59, while BP gained 2.42% to 570.5p, although gains were limited by BT Group which fell 2.85% to 306.25p. Miners also suffered as Xstrata dropped 2.55% to £26.75, closely followed by BHP Billiton which slipped 2.24% to £11.80, while Rio Tinto declined 1.96% to £35, an...