Published: December 22, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – The leading stock exchange posted strong gains on Monday as traders digested news the London Stock Exchange had agreed to take over its loss-making rival Turquoise.

The FTSE 100 index rose 1.87 percent to close at 5,293.99 points.

Lloyds bank was the most traded stock, seeing 220 million units change hands, followed by telecom giant Vodafone, which saw 118 million shares switch owners.

Cairn energy was the session's star performer, gaining 142 pence -- or 4.66 percent -- to finish at 3,188.

Insurer Prudential followed, up 27 pence -- or 4.52 percent -- to stand at 625.

The biggest loser of the day was the London Stock Exchange, which lost 11.50 pence -- or 1.60 percent -- to close at 706.

It was followed by Aggreko, which shed 13 pence -- or 1.44 percent -- to finish at 887.

Sterling lost ground against the dollar but gained ground against the euro.

At 17:05, the pound was trading at $1.6086, down from $1.6661 at Friday's close. Against the euro, the pound stood at 0.8907, up from 0.8874 over the same period.

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