FTSE struggles to stay above 6,000

BHP Billiton, the world's biggest mining company, sank 1.86% to 1,134p, while Rio Tinto Group, the No. 3, lost 1.18% to 3,092p, as basic resources shares in Europe have soared 26% this year as metals prices reached records. Shares of GUS, the retail and credit-information company that plans to split in two in the next year, fell 3.06% to 1,013p, as sales at Homebase stores open at least a year fell 5%, and GUS said it expects the market to remain slow through much of 2006. Meanwhile, brewers tried their best to cheer the market, with SABMiller leading the way, with gains of 3.97% to 1,1...