Around the World's Markets: LONDON

LEADING SHARES stopped just short of their all-time high after a rally triggered by Friday's strong showing on Wall Street. The FTSE 100 closed 100.1 higher at 6,592.0, within a whisker of its 6,598.8 peak reached in April. The blue-chip index took advantage of the US markets' closure for the Independence Day holiday to mirror the Dow's record-breaking performance at the end of last week.

The FTSE 250 ended 39.9 better at a best-ever 5,975.

Market report, page 20