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FTSE moves closer to breaking record high

The top share index in the UK moved upwards yet again on Wednesday as comments from the Federal Reserve chairman, Ben Bernanke, helped to send sentiment soaring. By the end of the midweek session the FTSE 100 was higher by 0.54 per cent reaching 6840.

News from the US was primarily responsible for the afternoon surge in the market, with a speech from Ben Bernanke helping to reassure investors about the fiscal plans. The Fed chairman was quick to confirm that the asset purchase programme would remain in place as long as possible and no actions would be taken to jeopardise the recovery, especially whilst there was poor employment figures and a weak labour market.

Closer to home, the minutes from the latest Monetary Policy Committee were...