FTSE lacks energy

BHP Billiton has dropped 2.8% to 1,027p after it said profit jumped 77% to a record $6.1bn on rising copper and iron ore prices. The result is below the $6.34bn median estimate of five analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. Anglo American has also declined 2.67% to 2,404p, while Vedanta has fallen 1.24% to 1,353p and Corus has dropped 0.73% to 408p. Meanwhile, Brambles Industries has climbed 5.4% to 450p after it said profit rose to $1.21bn in the first half from $250.9m a year earlier on gains from the sale of its Australian and UK waste collection units. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 Stock Avera...