London close: Strong finish for FTSE 100

Stocks were posting big gains at the close of play, with a strong start on Wall Street supporting earlier gains in London.With stocks news thin on the ground, it was the Eurozone saga that was once again the centre of attention. Global stocks rose moderately on Monday on hopes that an agreement between the two economic powerhouses could prevent the Eurozone debt crisis from turning into a full-blown disaster. However, a German government spokesman has warned that the recent Franco-German accord will not provide the "miracle cure" that so many are hoping for, but rather contribute to a solution.Premier Oil rose strongly after saying that oil production has started at the Chim Sáo field in Block 12W, offshore Vietnam. Heading the other way was recruitment firm Michael Page International, despite gross profits rising 26.5%, as gross profits in the UK rose by just 0.03% in the third quarter.Broker comment was behind many of today's moves. Luxury goods group Burberry benefited from a positive note from Societe Generale. ARM Holdings, the designer of chips used in fancy gadgets such as smartphones and tablet computers, was boosted by some favourable coverage from RBSHowever, Premier Foods went off after RBS downgraded its rating on the maker of Hovis bread from buy to hold and cut its target price by a whopping 84% following the group's profit warning on Friday. The food manufacturer revealed that third quarter results were "significantly below our expectations" and said that full-year trading profits will be below market forecasts. The target price now stands at just 6p, from 38p before. AIM-listed platinum miner Sylvania is in demand after achieving a quarterly platinum group metals (PGM) production record as production rose 12% in the three months to 30 September. Shares in LMS Capital jumped after the investment company said it planned to realise its investments after a disagreement over strategy with chairman Robert Rayne, who wanted the company to be broken up. Rayne and shareholders holding around 35% of the firm's share capital had called for the company to be dismantled. LMS investments include the Texas-based cinema group Rave Reviews and the sewage and drainage company Pims Group. A big mover was caravan and motor home retailer Discover Leisure which sank over 30% after saying that it is pursuing financing options as its business comes under increasing pressure.FTSE 100 - RisersARM Holdings (ARM) 591.00p +6.58%Old Mutual (OML) 113.30p +5.10%Schroders (Non-Voting) (SDRC) 1,147.00p +4.75%Essar Energy (ESSR) 278.00p +4.71%Weir Group (WEIR) 1,650.00p +4.63%Barclays (BARC) 172.10p +4.49%Petrofac Ltd. (PFC) 1,298.00p +4.42%Standard Chartered (STAN) 1,385.00p +4.37%Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 24.61p +4.19%Schroders (SDR) 1,370.00p +4.18%FTSE 100 - FallersCompass Group (CPG) 528.50p -1.21%Imperial Tobacco Group (IMT) 2,153.00p -1.10%Tate & Lyle (TATE) 628.00p -0.95%Experian (EXPN) 743.50p -0.67%Land Securities Group (LAND) 688.50p -0.65%National Grid (NG.) 646.00p -0.54%Shire Plc (SHP) 2,014.00p -0.44%United Utilities Group (UU.) 622.00p -0.40%British Land Co (BLND) 508.00p -0.39%G4S (GFS) 276.60p -0.18%FTSE 250 - RisersEnQuest (ENQ) 101.60p +8.61%Howden Joinery Group (HWDN) 113.40p +7.79%Ophir Energy (OPHR) 241.00p +7.73%Logica (LOG) 84.90p +6.46%Kesa Electricals (KESA) 97.30p +6.22%Wood Group (John) (WG.) 570.50p +5.84%Lamprell (LAM) 275.30p +5.48%Afren (AFR) 86.65p +5.35%Petropavlovsk (POG) 639.50p +5.35%Paragon Group Of Companies (PAG) 158.30p +5.18%FTSE 250 - FallersPremier Foods (PFD) 5.09p -12.24%International Personal Finance (IPF) 231.50p -8.82%Hansen Transmissions International NV (DI) (HSN) 65.90p -2.87%Regus (RGU) 67.55p -2.17%Bwin.party Digital Entertainment (BPTY) 115.20p -2.12%Supergroup (SGP) 713.50p -1.86%Galliford Try (GFRD) 422.00p -1.86%Michael Page International (MPI) 358.00p -1.57%JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 835.50p -1.47%Telecom Plus (TEP) 708.00p -1.26%