http://www.teletext.co.uk/city/shares-market-report/default.aspxen-gbFri, 17 Jul 2009 09:25:00 GMThttp://www.teletext.co.uk/images/Logo64x64.gifhttp://www.teletext.co.ukThe London market remained on course to complete its best week since March as the FTSE 100 Index made further gains.<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/news/finance/shares-market-report/~4/xUAzbh5luCA" height="1" width="1"/>
A fresh rally for US and Asian stocks overnight lifted confidence, with positive news from US giants Google and IBM adding to the upbeat sentiment.

British Airways was among the leading risers after the under-pressure airline confirmed it is planning to raise £600m in emergency funding.

One of the biggest gains in the FTSE 250 came from Northern Foods as analysts upgraded forecasts in the wake of a better-than-expected update.

Sentiment was also positive towards broadcaster ITV ahead of its half-year results in early August.

Nightclub operator Luminar surged after its latest trading update revealed a slowdown in sale declines, while it added it will not cut prices further.

Shares on European markets were ahead, with gains for telecoms equipment firm Alcatel-Lucent lifting France's Cac 40.

The Nikkei 225 index in Japan closed up 51.16 points at 9,395.32. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong also climbed with banking group HSBC ahead.

US index the Dow Jones jumped 256.72 to 8,616.2, its third straight gain, after figures revealed the number claiming unemployment benefits fell to 522,000.

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