FTSE closes at 6057.7

The FTSE 100 Index held firm in positive territory to close up 50.1 points at 6057.7.

The Royal Bank of Scotland found momentum to top the FTSE risers' board, with a gain of more than 8 per cent, or 18.75p to 244.75p.

RBS was closely followed by Lloyds TSB, which was 11.5p better at 388.75p, or 3 per cent.

But some uncertainty remained as Halifax Bank of Scotland, which shed 10 per cent of its value on Monday, was on the back foot again with a fall of 8.25p to 351.75p, while Barclays shed 5.25p to 360.25p.

In the FTSE 250 Index, shares in Bradford & Bingley failed to show a significant recovery from Monday's 24 per cent tumble, gaining just 1.25p to 68.25p.

Back in the top flight, Argos owner Home Retail cheered 14.5p to 242.75p after an upgrade from Seymour Pierce, while B&Q firm Kingfisher gained 4.7p to 138.8p following a buy recommendation from Panmure Gordon.

Engineering giant Amec was another riser, adding 35.5p to 884p, after announcing a deal to provide project management for oil firm BP's offshore developments.

One of the leading FTSE fallers was mining firm Vedanta Resources, which unveiled a US acquisition on Monday. Shares were off 81p to 2424p as falling metal prices weighed on the stock.

Persimmon was also a leading blue-chip casualty after a note on the housebuilding sector from Goldman Sachs, which voiced concerns over an intensifying market slowdown. Shares in the Charles Church builder were off 11.25p at 456p, a fall of nearly 3 per cent.

Winners: Royal Bank of Scotland up 18.75p at 244.75p, Home Retail Group ahead 14.5p at 242.75p, Amec up 35.5p at 884p and Standard Life up 10p at 262.5p.

Losers: Eurasian Natural Resources off 77p at 1367p, Vedanta Resources down 81p at 2424p, Persimmon down 11.25p at 456p and Carnival down 32p at 1897p.

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