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%.