A fifth straight gain for the FTSE 100 on Monday lifted the index to a fresh high for the year, with WPP among the top performers.

Signs of stabilisation
aid hoteliers

Hoteliers such as Whitbread edged higher after industry data showed room rates stabilising across Europe.

Data from STR Global show revenue per available room improved in July for every big European market except the UK and Russia. North America and the Asia-Pacific region also showed improvement.

InterContinental Hotels was up 0.8 per cent to 781½p, while Whitbread rose 1.5 per cent to £10.17.

Shares in the advertising agency rose 3.8 per cent to 523½p after analysts said that a rights issue looked unlikely, even if results on Wednesday triggered credit rating downgrades.