FTSE ends at a five-year high

The FTSE 100 passed its earlier five-year high today of 6,143 points achieved in 2001, as minings and energy stocks posted the biggest gains. BHP Billiton closed up 2.78% to 998p, closely followed by Rio Tinto which is up 2.7% to £27.37, while Cairn Energy has gained 2.23% to £18.76, and International Power has climbed 2.07% to 332.75p. Although Lloyds TSB was the biggest riser with gains of 3.94% to 581p, financials also weighed down the index with fund manager Amvescap the biggest drag with a drop of 3.14% to 617p. Meanwhile, Centrica slipped 1.8% to 326.75p, closely followed by Next...