Metal inflation lifts FTSE

After positive responses yesterday to the drop in the oil price below $60, the spot oil price has risen by 1.5% again to $61.45 per barrel, helping along those firms whose profits tend to be affected by the oil price. As a result, the FTSE 100 index gained 51.7 points or 0.89% to 5,850 in early trading. Rio Tinto, the world's third-biggest mining company, has risen 2.6% to £24.14, recovering from its 2.3% fall yesterday, while Vedanta Resources has pulled back some of its 6.8% loss to gain 1.5% to £11.29 and BHP Billiton is up 24p or 2.81% to 877p. Hanson’s share value has leapt a fur...