Mining firms spoil FTSE 100 position

Xstrata led the drop losing 30.5p to £10.46, along with Antofagasta which ended down 38p to £13.32. Rio Tinto also dropped 49p to £17.90 after reports suggesting it might bid for WMC Resources to extend its copper and uranium output, and even though BHP Billiton has already put in a $7.3bn offer. Anglo American completes the spectrum of mining stocks, retreating 31p to £12.56 at the market close. On the other end of the board, Tate & Lyle advanced 17.75p to 534.75p, while Morrison supermarkets jumped 4.75p to 222.5p, along with Tesco picking up 5.75p to 314.50p. Market research compan...