Miners dig FTSE out of the pits

Xstrata has gained 3.1% to 1,819p and BHP Billiton has risen 2.9% to 991.5p. British Land has climbed 3.2% to 1,200p after it said the net value of its assets rose 6.9% in the fourth quarter, as investors' appetite for commercial property pushed up prices. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 Stock Average lost 258.67 points, or 1.6%, to 15,599.20 points as Advantest and Honda Motor led a drop in exporters on speculation higher interest rates globally will cut economic growth and hurt profits. Advantest declined 280 yen, or 2.4%, to 11,540, Toshiba dropped 18 yen, or 2.4%, to 721 and Honda slumpe...