Rising coal prices lifts FTSE

The FTSE 100 index eventually closed up 48.7 points or 1.13% to 4,350 thanks to gains for BP, Shell Transport & Trading earlier in the day on the back of a record oil price. Later in the day, however, Libya announced it would finally beginning exporting its oil, bringing the price down a fraction and allowing the major mining firms to ride on the back of climbing coal pricing. Anglo American leapt 47p or 3.93% to £12.44 while BHP Billiton, the world's largest mining company rose 14.75p or 2.9% to 523.25p thanks to an increased earnings forecast for 2006 to match rising coal prices. Ri...