The pound and the FTSE 100 index of top UK-listed shares have hit their highest levels since October on growing hopes for an economic recovery.
Markets took heart after brighter UK economic data and a rally in financial stocks following profits from banking giants HSBC and Barclays.
Sterling rose as high as $1.6879 against the dollar and also hit a one-month high against the euro.
The FTSE 100 index rose as high as 4,693.06 points.
Shares in Barclays climbed 6.7% after reporting an 8% rise in half-year profits, while HSBC rose 5.1% after it made better-than-expected profits of $5bn.
In early afternoon trade, the FTSE 100 was up 1.55%, or 71.4 points, at 4,679.76 points.
Oil prices also rose to a one-month high above $71 a barrel, as an economic recovery should lead to greater demand for crude.



source: bbc