Markets: mining and energy stocks continue to lift FTSE 100

published 6 October 2015

FTSE 100 up 2.8% to 6,298
Gold down 0.28% to $1,135.65
£/$ - 1.5146

Commodities giant Glencore was the standout climber, adding 16.7% after it was reported to be in talks to sell its agriculture arm. Antofagasta gained 5.3% and Anglo American was up 4.7%. Among energy stocks, Royal Dutch Shell rose 4.9%, BG Group added 5.6%, and BP was 4.4% higher.

In Europe's markets yesterday, the Paris CAC 40 gained 3.5% to 4,616, and the German Xetra Dax was 2.7% higher at 9,814.

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In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.9% to 16,776, the S&P 500 added 1.8% to 1,987, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.6% to 4,781.

Overnight in Japan, the Nikkei 225 rose 1% to 18,186, and the broader Topix was 0.8% higher at 1,475. China's markets remained closed for a public holiday.

Brent spot was trading at $49.19 early today, and in New York, crude oil was at $46.09. Spot gold was trading at $1,140 an ounce, silver was at $15.63 and platinum was at $917.

In the forex markets this morning, sterling was trading against the US dollar at 1.5149 and against the euro at 1.3505. The dollar was trading at 0.8915 against the euro and 120.18 against the Japanese yen.

And in the UK, house prices fell by 0.9% in September, according to the latest figures from the Halifax a sharp contrast to August's 2.7% rise. Year on year, prices rose by 8.6%, with the average price of a home now £202,859.