FTSE climbs on strong US data

Investors are currently awaiting official GDP figures, which could have dramatic effects on shares later today. Mining firms performed well in early trade, with Xstrata adding 3.8% to 545p, while Kazakhmys added 3.7% to 494p. Cable & Wireless was the biggest winner after tech firms in the US saw strong first quarter performance. Investment firms offset the blue chip index's gains, with Schroders down 1.6% to 748p while Foreign and Colonial Investment Trust dropped 0.8% to 223.75p per share. On Wall Street, shares climbed after good news from the technology sector, with the Dow Jones ...