The FTSE100 had a strong start to the day, up 1.28% to 6,396.20, powered by good numbers from mining companies and housebuilders.
Taylor Wimpey was top of the leading stocks up 7.30 (3.89%) as housebuilders prepared themselves for tomorrow’s interest rate decision. Miners Xstrata and Anglo American were also in the top five as the whole sector was buoyed by M&A activity. Northern Rock was once again amongst the losers on news the government may bring the battered bank under its control. Severn Trent also performed poorly down 19.00 (1.24%). A strong morning for the FTSE comes in the wake of a weak close for Wall Street with the Dow Jones down 65 points to 13,248. Investor confidence was hit badly by profit warni...
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