Mining firms lift FTSE 100 into the black

Strong performances by mining firms helped to guide the London markets into the black after a testing start to the week.

It finished as a rare bright spark amid a subdued session for the global markets which were incredibly cautious as Us-china trade talks stalled.

The FTSE 100 closed 37.4 points higher at 6,127.44 at the end of trading yesterday.

The German Dax increased by 0.17%, while the French Cac moved 0.21% higher.

Across the Atlantic, the Dow Jones opened in the red on news that Us-china trade talks have been postponed indefinitely.

Meanwhile, sterling edged slightly higher against the dollar as it remained broadly flat due to wider caution in the markets.

The pound rose 0.1% versus the US dollar at 1.310 and was down 0.11% against the euro at 1.103.

Spirits giant Diageo saw its shares close 32p higher at 2,635p after sealing the deal to acquire Aviation American Gin for 610m US dollars (£466m)..

The price of oil moved into the black on reports that statecontrolled companies in China will increase their oil imports from the US for August and September.

The price of a barrel of Brent crude oil increased by 0.67% to 45.1 US dollars.

The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 were Persimmon, up 79p at 2,613p, Polymetal, up 57p at 2,034p, Anglo-american, up 53.2p at 1,932.4p, and Ashtead, up 74p at 2,764p.

The biggest fallers of the day were IAG, down 10.3p at 184.25p, Whitbread, down 59p at 2,385p, Intercontinental Hotel Group, down 100p at 4,048p, and British Land, down 7.1p at 359.2p.