Morning markets: Miners and financials boost FTSE

A revival in appetite for UK mining firms, spurred by a rebound in metal prices, helped to push up the UK's benchmark index in early exchanges.

The FTSE 100 climbed 0.9% to 4,839.26, with gains powered by an almost 8% jump in the shares of platinum specialist Lonmin to £15.52. Kazakhmys rose 5.43% to 999.5p as copper prices headed higher and a broker revised upwards its expectations for the miner's profits. Insurers and banks also featured in the winners' camp, with Aviva up 4.23% to 403.7p and Legal & General gaining 3.75%. Lloyds Banking Group rose 3.9% as its shares see-saw back and forth on reports it is looking to launch a rights issue and reduce its exposure to the Government's expensive Toxic Asset Programme. Ove...