Miners ease FTSE into positive territory

As it commences its first week of full trading this year, the blue-chip index is currently topped by ITV, up 6.59% to 44.5p, and emerging market investment managers Ashmore up 6% to 150.5p. Ailing retail giant Marks & Spencer sat with the gainers, up 4.19% to 230.25, despite expectations of dire sales figures and predicted dividends cuts. Miners continued to top the index with Xstrata up 37.50 (5.02%) to 785 and Kazakhmys rising 13.25 (5.2%) to 268.25, driven by rising aluminium and copper prices. Meanwhile bullish sentiment has seen the Nikkei 225 close its inaugural session of 2009 ...