FTSE climbs late as miners rise

Yet again it was the miners leading the way, with climbing metal prices a factor as gold hit a high for the year. A Sanford Bernstein upgrade took Rio Tinto to the top; it closed 191 points ahead, or 5.42%, to 3716. A surge in energy prices pushed natural gas giants the BG Group 38 points up, or 4.83%, to 824.5. Lonmin was another to share in the mining windfall, driving ahead 152 points, or 4.71 points, to 3379. UK power generator Drax today announced a fall in first half pre-tax profit and revenue, dragging its price down 38 points, or 5.63, to 637.5. Northern Rock continued its cred...