FTSE’s big companies help drag index up

On currency markets the pound stayed largely flat at 1.248 dollars, but fell slightly to 1.135 euros.

Shares rose again in London on Wednesday. (Ian West/PA) (PA Archive)

London’s top index continued its recovery from the recent downturn sparked by chaos in the banking sector as it was boosted by some of the biggest companies in town.

The likes of Astrazeneca and Glencore helped boost the FTSE 100 on Wednesday, leading it 39 points higher to finish the day on 7,824.84.

The rise of 0.5% made the blue-chip index one of the better performers in its international peer group.