Around the World's Markets: London

BLUE CHIPS staged a comeback. Footsie reclaimed its position above the crucial 5,000 points level with a 113 gain to 5,103.3. Trading was busy with share turnover nudging one billion. Supporting shares had a quiet session.

Take-over stories swirled with Reed International, the media group, and GRE, the insurer, likely targets. Reed, up 31.25p to 534.25p, was said to be in the sights of a US group and GRE, up 9p at 258p, was regarded as a candidate for Allied Dunbar.

Derek Pain, page 23