Supermarket sweeps FTSE higher

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The FTSE 100 index has ended the day up 28.7 points, or 0.46%, to 6,310.9, as a poor mining sector failed to offset gains by supermarkets.

Sainsburys remained the top gainer with a rise of 13.87% to 507p, following confirmation three private equity firms are looking at a possible deal for the supermarket group, while Morrisons gained 5.9% to 300.75p in sympathy. Marks & Spencer Group also climbed 4.14% to 717.5p, while Imperial tobacco added 3.97% to £21.75, and Tesco gained 3.69% to 435p, although poor broker comment saw Sage Group slip 1.81% to 272p. However, miners were the biggest losers of the day with Rio Tinto down 2.15% to £26.91, while Xstrata dropped 2.06% to £23.80, and Royal Dutch Shell slipped 1.84% to £17.0...

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