Mining companies drag the FTSE back under

Anglo American, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto Group, the world's three largest mining companies, saw their share prices drop at least 2% after it was suggested demand for copper in China could affect world supply, knocking the FTSE 100 by 39 points or 0.9% to 4476.5. As a result, the copper price dropped, and Anglo American lost 31p or 2.3% to £13.07. BHP Billiton, the world's largest mining company, fell 14.5p or 2.8% to 498p while Rio Tinto Plc, the world's third-biggest miner, dropped 40p or 2.9% to £13.42. Marks & Spencer, the high street chain, didn’t exactly ease matters by announc...