Banks were making a strong rise after UBS lifted its rating for the global banking sector from 'underweight' to 'overweight', saying that the operating environment is beginning to improve. In a research report titled 'Post-crisis banking', UBS said that the tone of its Global FID conference earlier this week was "neutral to slightly positive" and banks are starting to see "improving bottom-up trends". RBS led the risers, with Lloyds close behind. In the mining sector, shares of ENRC, Polymetal, Anglo American and Glencore Xstrata were making gains. Tradenext this morning labelled Glencore Xstrata as a long-term 'buy' and a "core holding for anyone with an interest in the mining sector due to its size" following the completion of its merger last week. Morrison Supermarkets was also higher after it confirmed it is teaming up with Ocado Group to launch its first shopping website in January next year. Meanwhile, product testing group Intertek was a heavy faller throughout the day after its guidance on operating margins disappointed. The company said that margins in the first quarter were lower than last year due to a sharp profit decline in the minerals business. FTSE 100 - RisersRoyal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 332.20p +4.20%Resolution Ltd. (RSL) 296.00p +3.71%Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 62.86p +3.20%CRH (CRH) 1,448.00p +2.99%GKN (GKN) 304.80p +2.80%Glencore Xstrata (GLEN) 345.85p +2.63%Evraz (EVR) 159.10p +2.58%Polymetal International (POLY) 649.00p +2.45%Anglo American (AAL) 1,583.50p +2.23%Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 449.30p +1.95%FTSE 100 - FallersIntertek Group (ITRK) 3,328.00p -3.59%Weir Group (WEIR) 2,392.00p -3.16%Amec (AMEC) 1,047.00p -2.33%Tate & Lyle (TATE) 841.50p -2.32%Associated British Foods (ABF) 1,882.00p -2.23%Rolls-Royce Holdings (RR.) 1,183.00p -2.07%Aberdeen Asset Management (ADN) 464.00p -1.88%Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 4,816.00p -1.75%Rexam (REX) 521.00p -1.70%Aviva (AV.) 341.20p -1.53%NR