Miners make FTSE shine

However, Standard Chartered posted the biggest gains with a rise of 4.02% to £16.05, following a broker upgrade from Lehman Brothers, while Northern Rock added 3.89% to £10.96. Among miners Lonmin advanced 3.24% to £39.25, closely followed by Rio Tinto which climbed 3.19% to £36.52, while Anglo American advanced 2.91% to £29.35, although gains were limited by WPP which slipped 0.99% to 750p. SABMiller was the biggest loser with a drop of 1.33% to £11.91, closely followed by Next which slipped 1.19% to £23.98, while Hammerson declined 1.14% to £16.54, and Friends Provident fell 1.07% to ...