FTSE tanks on poor miners and banks

The FTSE 100 index closed 77 points lower, or 1.21%, to 6304.90. Miners Vedanta and Antofagasta opened sharply down and continued to slide lower, finishing down 7.3% to 2044 and 4.85% to 745 respectively. Friends Provident was pounded on a UBS price target downgrade, closing 11.50 points down, or 7.18%, to 148.70. BHP Billiton and rival Rio Tinto climbed on news speculation they may agree one of the biggest ever takeovers. Rio led the gains, up 328 points, or 6.19%, to 5624. ICAP closed up 4.78, to 625; while pub, bar and restaurant operator Mitchells & Butlers finished up 30 points...