FTSE 100 starts with modest gains with banks to the fore

Japan upgrades economic outlook as Abe's policies take hold

(Reuters) - The Japanese government upgraded its assessment of the economy on Monday, as emerging signs of an upturn in exports and factory output added to growing evidence that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's aggressive polices are beginning to reignite growth.

The world's third-biggest economy is gradually recovering, according to the government's monthly report released by the Cabinet Office.

FTSE 100 ends comfortably higher, with RBS the leader