FTSE ahead on miner approach

Although the offer was knocked back, the index is up 57.80 points, or 0.91%, to 6439.70. As expected Rio Tinto is leading the gains, up 339 points, or 6.4%, to 5635; while BHP Billiton is not far behind, 85 points ahead 5.13 %, to 1741. BG is also up as Credit Suisse upgraded the oil conglomerate to 'outperform' from 'neutral' – it is currently on 1044, a jump of 55 points, or 5.56%. Friends Provident is down as financials again start lower, 3.40 points behind, or 2.12%, to 156.80; while BT is 6 points down, or 1.99%, to 295.75. In New York, a late rally on Wall Street nearly drove ...