LONDON (AFP) –
The leading stock exchange climbed higher on Monday, after much better-than-expected US data helped ease concerns the economic recovery could falter and threaten recent sustained gains.

London's FTSE 100 index of leading shares was up 1.19 percent to 5,104.50 points.

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) was the most traded stock, seeing 247 million units change hands, followed by telecom giant Vodafone, which saw 118 million shares switch owners.

Gold miner Randgold Resources was top of the leader board, gaining 236 pence -- or 5.96 percent -- to close at 4196.

It was followed by miner Eurasian Natural Resources, up 45.50 pence -- or 5.46 percent -- to close at 879.

On the downside, RBS was the day's biggest loser, dropping 3.27 pence -- or 7.80 percent -- to close at 38.65.

It was followed by property firm Hammerson, which lost 14 pence -- or 3.45 percent -- to close at 392.20.