Miners push FTSE higher

Xstrata posted the biggest gains with a rise of 3.88% to £23.27, closely followed by Lonmin which gained 2.83% to £29.84, while Rio Tinto climbed 2.73% to £29.71 and BHP Billiton added 2.47% to £10.36. BG Group was the biggest drag on the FTSE with a drop of 3.24% to 673p, closely followed by ICI which slipped 3.07% to 394.25p, while Wolseley declined 2.66% to £12.06. Capita Group fell 2.04% to 528p, closely followed by Tate & Lyle which slipped 1.52% to 776p, although losses were limited by British Energy Group which ended the day up 2.97% to 433p. In the US the Dow Jones Industri...