Market round-up: CHR and Aer Lingus deal lifts FTSE 100

Holcim-Lafarge $25bn Meger On Track — Holcim and Lafarge asked to merge before CRH takeover Reuters

The FTSE 100 closed at 7,034.9 on 27 May after dipping under the 7,000 mark in a disappointing show yesterday. In total the 100 went up 1.24% since the open.

The index saw the biggest climb after the Queen's speech in afternoon trading.

Building materials supply company CHR led the risers after reaching deals with cement companies Lafarge and Holcim. The deal is conditional but will be completed if the merger between the two companies is successful.

The second biggest riser was the International consolidated Airlines Group, on the back of an Irish deal. The government of Ireland agreed to sell its 25% stake in Aer Lingus to AIG, but just needs the approval of Ryanair, which holds 29.8% of Aer Lingus stakes.

Supermarket giant Sainsbury's was one of the biggest fallers of the day, despite being listed as the cheapest supermarket for the first time this year in the on-going supermarket price war.

The Alternative Investment Market (FTSE AIM 100), rose 0.38% after biggest riser Scapa Group, an industrial manufacturer, reported a full year pre-tax profit rise of 22.3%.

FTSE 100 biggest risers