Miners keep FTSE in red

Mining firm Antofagasta was the biggest loser, finishing down 22 points, or 3.91%, to close on 541p. It was closely followed by BHP Billiton, one of the morning’s early strugglers, which finished down 44 points, or 3.52%, to £12.05, and Xstrata, which finished down 95 points, or 3.39%, to close on £27.05. However, it was a positive day for Friends Provident, which finished up 16.25 points, or 8.39%, to close on 210p. Hammerson, up 105 points, or 6.7%, to close on £16.73, and Ent Inns, up 25 points, or 3.62%, to 715p, also had positive days. In the US, the Dow Jones slipped a disappointi...