Financials and miners drive FTSE higher

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The FTSE has extended early gains after figures showed inflation eased in July, with financials and mining stocks leading the charge into positive territory.

Shortly after midday, London's blue-chip index was up nearly a percentage point to 5,324. Insurers are performing strongly on the back of consolidation vehicle Resolution posting a £203m first half profit. Aviva - which recently rejected a bid from RSA for its general insurance operations - is up over 3% and Prudential is also edging near 3% gains. Mining stocks are among the day's top performers following broker predictions of stronger demand from China and strong metal prices. Kazakhmys and Eurasian Natural Resources both rose around 3%. The sector has also been buoyed by the ann...

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