The FTSE 100 Index is up 16.2 points at 6,083.2 points this morning, having earlier hit 6,092.5 points - its highest intraday level since February 2001.
The risers are dominated by the mining sector following a strong performance by Australian-listed miners overnight as investors said booming demand for raw materials will continue to keep prices high. Antofagasta is up 2.49% at 2,387p, BHP Billiton has gained 1.75% to 1,162p, Rio Tinto has risen 1.89% to 3,174p and Xstrata has gained 2.48% to 2,023p. Marks & Spencer has bucked a lacklustre trend in the retail sector with forecast-smashing results. Its shares are up 4.26% at 588p. On the downside, shares in Prudential have eased 0.52% to 664p as credence over takeover speculation - the...
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