Miners build up FTSE

BHP Billiton has added 1.4% to 997p and Vedanta has risen 1.8% to 1,274p. BP has gained 0.7% to 623p after crude oil futures rose 0.7 percent to $72.69 a barrel in New York. A US government report showed stockpiles declined more than expected, as refineries increased output before the Fourth of July holiday. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average climbed 235.04 points, or 1.6%, to 15,121.15 points on speculation exporters can sustain profit growth amid higher borrowing costs in the US. Banks climbed after the Wall Street Journal said Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group is seeking to obt...