Dow Jones

An early morning ‘hair of the dog' has kept the FTSE 100 index flat against a run of stocks in the mining sector heading downwards this morning.

The FTSE 100 has closed up 39.4 points to end at 6,044.10, with miners again providing much of the lift with Antofagasta and Rio Tinto, both in the top 10 risers.

The FTSE 100 Index climbed 28.1 points, or 0.4%, to 5993.2 led by Corus Group after the steelmaker agreed to sell most of its aluminum unit and reported better-than-expected profit. Royal Sun Alliance Insurance Group also surged on takeover speculation....

The FTSE 100 closed up 14.5 points, or 0.24%, to 5,965.1, as miners dominated trading through the afternoon, keeping the FTSE out of trouble as Hanson gave back much of its earlier gains.

The FTSE 100 Index has gained 19.6 points, or 0.3%, to 5970.2 in morning trading so far, led by BP and Smith & Nephew. Shares of Hanson have also surged.

The FTSE index is on the rise this morning, adding 15.9 points, or 0.3%, to 5968, led by Cairn Energy and BP.

The FTSE 100 has fallen 11 points or 0.19% to close down at 5,833 after the European Central Bank signalled it may keep raising rates following today's 25bp increase, prompting concern economic growth may slow.

The FTSE 100 came close to a fresh four and a half year high as it climbed 18.2 points, or 0.32%, to 5,722.6, but closed well off the day's best level as oil and tobacco shares fell.

The FTSE 100 index has ended the day up 29.5 points or 0.52% to 5,693.2, with miners dominating the leaderboard as higher metal prices excited investors, although the blue chip index failed to keep above 5,700.

The FTSE 100 index surged back through 5,700 today, closing up 0.75% to 5,732, on anticipation of a battle for P&O following yesterday's approach from Singapore.