Leading shares are climbing for the fourth day in a row, as growing hopes that the global economy might avoid a double dip recession continued to tempt investors back into the market

Consumer products group Reckitt Benckiser has long been a stock market star, with investors attracted by its defensive qualities in a volatile world. But there are clouds on the horizon for the company, not least the forthcoming loss of its exclusive licence in the US for its suboxone and subutex drugs, used for the treatment of opiate addiction

Closing market report: Antofagasta was the main catalyst in saving the FTSE 100 from early losses. By Nick Fletcher.

UK Coal's chief executive is stepping down and will be replaced by its property director in a move that underlines the increasing importance of the mining company's property portfolio.