The FTSE 100 Index fell 44 points, or 0.7%, to 6,060 points today after traders chose to bank profits in the mining sector after its recent strong run.
BHP Billiton fell 2.86% to 1,138.50p, Kazakhmys dropped 3.11% to 1,168p and Xstrata declined 3.17% to 2,015p. Anglo American also fell 3.43% to 2,334p and Antofagasta dropped 4.46% to 2,358p as a surpise hike in Chinese interest rates raised fears that demand for raw materials could falter. The price of crude slipped to $71 barrel, taking BP down 2.08% to 683.50p and Royal Dutch Shell down 2.21% to 1,993p. Shares in insurer Aviva fell 1.35% to 801.50p, despite a strong set of first quarter results with sales during the period at their highest in the group’s history. Worldwide total...
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