World markets report

A high number of stocks trading ex-dividend balanced out rising commodity stocks yesterday to leave the FTSE 100 0.1% lower at 5,342. Wall Street was similarly flat, while in Asia, Japan suffered further falls.

A high number of stocks trading ex-dividend balanced out rising commodity stocks yesterday to leave the FTSE 100 0.1% lower at 5,342.

Miners were boosted by higher metals prices and installed themselves firmly as the day's best performing sector, with Fresnillo, Xstrata and Lonmin all making good gains, while energy stocks made more modest progress on a slightly firmer oil price and weakening dollar.

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