(MENAFN- ProactiveInvestors) Encouraging developments from Greece and the strengthening of crude oil pushed Britain's blue chip index higher on Tuesday.
It finished up 1.32% at 6872 now not too far from the all time high set at the end of 1999 of 6930.
At that time the level went largely unnoticed and no-one would have predicted then that it would be the number to beat 15 years later.
Giving investors confidence is a new plan from the newly elected administration in Greece over its debt mountain.
It has proposed swapping its outstanding debt for new growth-linked bonds.
Meanwhile after gaining ground yesterday the oil price continues north. Brent crude stands at US$56.22 at the time of writing - up 2.68%.
The big gainers on Footsie included oil giant Shell which added 5.36% while Glencore () commodities behemoth gained 6.42%.
On the losing side () weighed losing 1.44% while drinks giant () lost 1.23%.
AB Foods () the Primark owner and FTSE constituent lost 1.12% to stand at 3079p.
It came as the group cited the fall of crude prices on its decision to take a £98mln hit on its bioethanol joint venture.
The group's interim results for the 24 weeks ending February 28 will include a non-cash exceptional charge to the tune of that sum the group said.
Meanwhile () saw shares add 1.16% despite slashing exploration budgets and reporting falling full-year profit.
FTSE250 explorer () was among the top risers in London up 18.4% after it said it had been given extra time to repay its debts after it obtained a deferral on a US$50mln payment which had been due on Jan 31.
Elsewhere in the small caps copper mining firm () shares were on the up adding 10.61%.
Yesterday the group said it had made "considerable progress" on the possible acquisition of a near term cash flowproject in South America.
It also expects an updated mineral resource for the Los Calatos copper project in Peru to be completed in March this year.
() was a standout gainer and shares surged over 26% as it revealed its first well in the Mancos shale play in Utah has been a success.
The well with the tag State 1-34 was drilled to a depth of 3200 feet and observed the presence of oil and gas throughout the Mancos shale formation as well as in deeper conventional reservoirs.
() was also a standout adding almost 39%.
Last week the company unveiled plans which it believes will make the firm “extremely well placed” for an anticipated rebound for the uranium sector.
It intends to de-list its shares from the Australian market raise new capital from investors and is currently engaging in mergers and acquisition activities it revealed.
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