Metal prices make FTSE shine

BHP Billiton posted the biggest gains with a rise of 4.91% to 930p, closely followed by Kazakhmys which gained 3.95% to £10.53, while Xstrata climbed 3.94% to £23.99, and Rio Tinto added 3.92% to £24.69. Pearson also gained 3.74% to 805p, although gains were limited by Enterprise Inns which slipped 1.69% to £12.77, closely followed by Home Retail which dropped 1.68% to 409p. However Alliance Boots was the biggest drag on the index with a fall of 2.7% to 811p, closely followed by Tate & Lyle which slipped 2.44% to 739p, while Land Securities Group fell 1.72% to £21.65. In the US the...