Mining firms prompt bright start for FTSE

Mineral resource mining firm Rio Tinto is leading the way, up 225 points, or 6.81%, to £35.30. Following up behind it is electronic retailer DSG International, up 6.2 points, or 3.7%, to 173.9p, and copper mining firm Kazakhmys, up 33 points, or 2.8%, to £12.11. However, these early gains are under threat from losses for business software supplier Sage Group, which is down 11 points, or 4.1%, to 257.25p, and copper mining firm Antomagasta, down 14.25 points, or 2.51%, to 554.25p. Insurance firm Old Mutual is also down in early trading, shipping four points, or 2.21%, to 177p. In the U...