FTSE 100 reaches 21 month high; post Lehman Brothers levels

It reached a high of 5690.64 at 10:22 today led by banks as Lloyds announced that 2010 is the year it expected to return to profit.

RBS, Barclays all followed its share price, rising 2.2, 5.26 and 9.76 pct [Lloyds] respectively.

Other 'big five' banks, HSBC and Standard Chartered bare moved however, as they have more of an international/emerging markets focus, with Standard Chartered downgraded from 'buy' to 'neutral' at Goldman Sachs today.

Miners meanwhile suffered losses as falling commodity prices in particular Gold caused knock on effects on this sector heavily effected by prices and demand, which is also weak at the moment as many economies emerge from the recession weakened.

The defensive stocks also fell particularly Utilities such as Centrica and Scottish & Southern Energy.

Finally, British Airways, rose on hopes that ongoing talks between the company and unions were 'better than none'.

It's share price gained 0.95 pct to 244.80p.