The FTSE 100 index has passed back over the 6,000 barrier with a rise of 41.8 points, or 0.7%, to 6,008.3, buoyed by takeover talk and interest rate expectations.
Steelmaker Corus has posted the biggest gains so far with a rise of 10.61% to 450.75p, after reports India's top private steelmaker, Tata Steel is in talks to buy the Anglo-Dutch steel firm. Miners are also doing well with BHP Billiton up 4.02% to 905p, closely followed by Anglo American which has gained 3.25% to £22.56, while Rio Tinto has climbed 3.25% to £24.79, and Antofagasta has added 2.44% to 462p, as base and precious metal prices rose in line with oil. However, Swiss mining firm Xstrata is the biggest drag on the index so far with a drop of 7.57% to £20.15, closely followed b...
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