Budget builds FTSE higher

Property company Hammerson was the biggest riser with gains of 4.77% to £17.34, following bid speculation, while British Airways climbed 3.28% to 519.5p, and Yell Group advanced 3.07% to 588p. Land Securities also climbed 2.68% to £21.81, closely followed by BSkyB which ended up 2.53% to 568p, although gains were limited by Sainsbury which dropped 1.08% to 550p, while Whitbread led the losers with a fall of 3.62% to 318.64. However financials were among the biggest losers as Bradford & Bingley dropped 2.55% to 449.5p, closely followed by HSBC Holdings which fell 1.89% to 881p, while All...