Around the World's Markets: London

BLUE CHIPS romped to another record. Footsie closed 85.3 points higher at 6,415.3 after at one time recording a 113-point gain. Hopes of another interest-rate cut and the stream of cash flowing in from personal equity plans were behind the excitement.

New York's strength on Easter Monday was another influence, and takeover talk helped the advance. But it was again a market of two halves; supporting shares struggled to stay in the black.