SHARES rallied to ensure the London stock exchange closed on a festive note yesterday.
Oil giant BP and Guinness owner Diageo were among those putting in a resilient performance as the FTSE 100 Index closed 1% or 55.7 points higher at 5512.7.
The improvement came despite nagging fears over the eurozone debt crisis and a looming recession on the continent – although volumes traded were light ahead of a lunchtime finish.
BP shares closed 2% or 9.4p higher at 459.7p amid speculation that it may soon raise its dividend to a level closer to the rate it paid prior to the Gulf of Mexico disaster.
Diageo was up by 20p to 1378p.