FTSE 100 up after successful Italian bond auction

After prolonged Christmas holidays UK benchmark FTSE 100 opened 0.3% higher on Wednesday and extended gains later during day as Italy successfully sold bonds and their yields declined.  At the moment of writing FTSE 100 trades 0.65% or 35.63 points higher at 5,548.33. Grocer Tesco PLC gained 2.2% after retailer reported strong Christmas sales. Drug producer GlaxoSmithKline PLC added 1% amid positive expectations about sector. Among main gainers was also British American Tobacco PLC ascending 2%. On the downside was Royal Bank of Scotland giving up 1.51%.