Several high-profile stocks have been on the front foot buoyed by bid speculation and a series of positive broker upgrades.

The attention of the market was on the likes of Argos owner Home Retail Group and insurance fund firm Resolution, despite a lack of impetus in the overall FTSE 100 Index.

The Footsie finally closed 1.4 points lower at 6364.7 after drifting in negative territory for much of the day.

The second tier was also in the spotlight after strong gains for Durex-to-Scholl group SSL International and Carphone Warehouse amid talk of approaches from trade buyers and private equity firms. Read more

Original post by The Press Association