Corus strikes FTSE tune

The metal maker climbed as much as 2.25p or 5% to 44.50p, after it announced plans to pay its first interim dividend for five years, due to a higher demand for steel, particularly in China. Cruise operator, Carnival also advanced 5% or 149p to 3109p, after it said second-quarter earnings increased 23% from the same period in 2004, due to higher cruise capacity and travel demand. Mining firms BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Antofagasta have picked up 29p to 716p, 65p to 174p and 43p to 1225p respectively, due to rising demand for commodities. On the losing side, British American Tobacco ha...