Around the World's Markets: London

BLUE CHIPS moved ahead for the fifth successive session. Footsie rose 31.2 points to 6,295.3 in busy trading; at one point it was up 88.4.

Hopes of lower interest rates, an uneventful US display and end-of-quarter window dressing ensured a solid performance. The rush into PEPs and end- of-tax-year adjustments were other factors. BP Amoco was heavily traded ahead of the expected takeover of Atlantic Richfield. At least one US investment house claimed the shares were overpriced.

Derek Pain, page 23