The FTSE 100 index recouped its early losses and ended 0.3 per cent higher. — Reuters picLONDON, March 23 ― London's FTSE 100 index ended higher yesterday on a weaker pound and as gains in defensive stocks outweighed declines in commodity-linked and travel shares, while drugmaker AstraZeneca jumped on upbeat US trial results.
Healthcare stocks were also among the biggest gainers, with AstraZeneca up 3.3 per cent after the drugmaker's Covid-19 vaccine was found 79 per cent effective in a large US trial at preventing symptomatic illness, and was 100 per cent effective against severe or critical disease and hospitalisation.British Airways-owner IAG, down 5.