Around the World's Markets: London

SHARP GAINS in drug stocks and a strong showing for Wall Street lifted the FTSE 100 index to a two-month closing high on Friday, although a late bout of profit taking took some of the froth off the market.

The FTSE 100 ended 25.3 points - 0.4 per cent -higher at 6,356.6, its highest close since 6 September, although it finished well below the day's high of 6,402.0. News of a hostile bid by Pfizer for Warner-Lambert added to the excitement.