LEADING share prices were firmer in afternoon trading yesterday, moving further into record territory, after news of a surprisingly large drop in United States non-farm payrolls last month.
By 2 pm, the FTSE 100-share index was up 22.8 points at a record high of 3,775.6, breaking the previous best of 3,767.4 made on January 19.
Dealers said rise was helped significantly by gains in index futures. The March FTSE futures contract was 24 points higher at 3,793.
US non-farm payrolls fell 201,000 last month against consensus expectations of a 59,000 rise.
Bond prices returned roughly to their weaker pre-data levels after volatility shortly after the numbers.
Labour statistics commissioner Katharine Abraham said snowstorms on the east coast caused many firms to close or operate with fewer staff during the January payrolls reference period.
