BP

The FTSE had climbed significantly by lunchtime after positive results from a number of major companies.

BP today announced a return to profit in the three months to September after last quarter's record loss, but has not resumed dividend payments to shareholders.

Germany has agreed to give the EU's €440bn (£383bn) bail-out fund permanent status rather than letting it expire in 2013 as planned.

With headline interest rates at record low levels in many western economies, investors are increasingly looking to high dividend-paying equities in their search for income. Traditionally such investors have tended to ‘stay at home', that is, they have...

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The FTSE 100 had a strong start to the week, up 0.71% or 39.14 points to 5,547.59, supported by news BP had permanently sealed its Gulf of Mexico oil well.

The FTSE Group has axed eight companies from its FTSE4Good Global Index Series, including petroleum giants BP.

The FTSE 100 opened strongly at the start of the week, boosted by Friday's late rally on Wall Street and positive corporate news.

BP's shares rose 2.36% to 425.45p at 3.15pm following the news almost three-quarters of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has been cleaned-up or broken down by natural forces.

Fund managers have shown their support for oil giant BP despite its record $17bn (£11bn) loss in the second quarter.