Mining stocks start to pull back FTSE losses

The FTSE 100 index has rallied 25.8 points or 0.43% to 6084.4 in early trading, led by Xstrata – up 80p or 3.4% to £24.10 – while BHP Billiton has risen 12p or 1.22% to 996.5p and Rio Tinto has added 25p or 0.94% to £26.83. International Power has also climbed 18.75p or 5.3% to 371p as its latest utility posted profits are thought to be better than expected. In contrast, however, British Airways is down 11.25p or 2.26% to 485.25p after yesterday announcing plans to sell its BA Connect division. In Asia earlier today, the markets pulled back from a four-day slump of $2.4trn as Toyota, Nik...