FTSE 100 boosted by company reports

(Close): Shares were ahead in London at close after another bumper series of company reports and an overnight higher close for US shares buoyed the market.

Barclays investors greeted its 25% gain in interim profits with a 1.79% rise in the share price. Sky shares jumped 2.5% on news of its 18% rise in profits but then slipped to 0.7% ahead.

The FTSE 100 index finished up 1,16%, or 75.72 points, at 6,631 points.

High street bakery chain Greggs was up 8.53% after half-year interim results.

It also raised profit expectation for the second time in a few months.

Estate agency Foxtons' shares were 7.5% higher on strong results, pulling rival Rightmove up 5.43% in its wake.

Shares in Hikma Pharmaceuticals were up 3.71%, building on Tuesday's 11.59% gain.

On the currency markets, the pound was up 0.07% against the dollar at $1.5624 and was up 0.46% against the euro to €1.4183.