HOWZAT!

FTSE hits pre-Lehman levels on back of gold

The index surged past 5,300 points to a 14-month high, driven by renewed investor confidence in the prospect of recovery

Tempus: Amlin benefits from benign climates

Serious storms, especially in the US Gulf of Mexico, have been rare, meaning that Amlin and its ilk have spare capital

Wiseman is in bullish mood

The Scottish dairy company has reported a near 82 per cent leap in pre-tax profit to £21 million for the first half

Arla thinks big ... EADS plunges ... BA warns staff

Need to know: Comprehensive news coverage sector by sector

In the know: Citigroup; United Utilities; MBL

Gilts — Rumour of the day — Deal of the day — Bet of the day — Tiddler to watch

GMAC chief executive Molina resigns

Beleaguered financial services company confirms departure of leader tipped as candidate for top job in Bank of America

Bernanke throws weight behind dollar

Fed chairman says central bank is closely monitoring value of US currency, but greenback drops to 15-month low

Galleon's Rajaratnam seeks to unseal Khan records

Hedge fund founder asks court to open records of an earlier criminal charge against the Government’s main witness

US stocks bounce on retail growth

Comments from Bernanke combined with stronger retail sales and rising commodity prices lifted Wall Street

Rolls-Royce contract ... Ofwat objections ... Supergroup float ...

Need to know: comprehensive news coverage sector by sector

Business Digest

Obama will make or break deal on climate change

The President has created great expectations around the world. Now it expects the US to contribute in Copenhagen

Darling blueprint to end banks’ casino culture

Chancellor, will this week publish legislation intended to prevent the banks bringing down the financial system again

Superdry gears up for listing

Supergroup, the fashion retailer behind the brand worn by David Beckham expects to float the business for £400m

Liberty Global acquisition ... Airbus order ... Playboy sale

Need to know: Comprehensive news coverage sector by sector

Big pharma isn’t ill but there’s little to put a spring in its step

Last week’s US Congress plans to extend healthcare coverage to nearly all Americans did little to perk up drug stocks

Eastern Platinum loses sparkle with wage rises

The miner's results triggered a slide as its margins showed the strain of a strong rand and higher electricity charges

In the know: Moorgate Taverns; BSkyB; Burberry; Imaginatik

Gilts — Rumour of the day — Deal of the day — Bet of the day — Tiddler to watch

FTSE back to where it was before Lehman fell

Blue-chip index retraces its steps for best close since the onset of the global financial crisis in September 2008