FTSE rises on mining rally

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 wa...