Around the World's Markets: London

BLUE CHIPS edged up to finish at a fresh record high as takeover activity helped maintain Thursday's bumper gains. The FTSE 100 rose two points to 6,684.8, having touched a new intraday peak of 6,743.1 early in the session.

The market was mixed. Falls were in a 53-46 majority, with weakness in BP Amoco weighing on the index. The oil giant fell 2.2 per cent amid mild profit-taking, taking 13.6 points off the FTSE.

Market report, page 23