Global stock markets were given a boost yesterday as attention turned to a key meeting of United States policymakers later this week.

Analysts are increasingly optimistic that US Federal Reserve members will play down the prospect of an imminent cut in emergency support for the country's economic recovery.

The speculation cheered the FTSE-100 Index, which rallied 22.2 points to 6330.5 as investors look to make up for recent heavy losses. World markets have fallen back sharply after reaching multi-year highs in May amid fears the US will wind up its vast quantitative easing programme.

The Dax in Frankfurt and the Cac 40 in Paris also gained, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average made ground on Wall Street.

Max Cohen, financial sales trader at Spreadex, said "investors are perhaps starting to see value in the market".

On the currency markets, sterling was little changed against the greenback or the euro, with a pound worth 1.57 dollars and 1.18 euros.

Defensive stocks were in favour among London investors, with credit-checking firm Experian up 2.3% or 26p to 1173p and household goods firm Reckitt Benckiser 100p stronger at 4679p.

Other blue-chip risers during a quiet session for corporate news included Vodafone, which rose 2.65p to 182.7p

The improvement came amid reports that the UK mobile phone company will have to spend as much as £9.3 billion to land Germany's largest cable TV operator, Kabel Deutschland.

Analysts are worried that the company's interest signals an expensive acquisition spree for similar assets across Europe.

Retail stocks were also doing well, with Next up 32p to 4585p and Sainsbury's 5.7p higher to 375.5p in the week that the supermarket chain plans to relaunch fashion brand Tu.

The range was launched in 2004 and is now the seventh largest in the UK clothing market in volume terms, having generated sales of £680 million last year.

Primark owner Associated British Foods, which also has the brands Ryvita and Ovaltine in its portfolio, was 50p lower at 1732p after broker Nomura downgraded its price target on the stock due to the volatile pricing outlook for the company's sugar business.

Majestic Wine shares gained 7.25p to 462p as it announced a small rise in full-year profits and said it was well-placed to maximise sales over the important summer trading period.

Chief executive Steve Lewis added that the key elements of the company's growth strategy, including the expansion of its estate to as many as 330 locations, were in place. Broker Investec said the results were good given the volatile trading conditions.

Elsewhere in the City, investors were digesting the news that celebrated fund manager Anthony Bolton is to stand down as portfolio manager for Fidelity China Special Situations. He will be succeeded by Dale Nicholls.