The Footsie is around 1% higher at the midday point, holding on to early gains.The banking sector is performing well today after positive comments from Citigroup. The US bank upped its rating on European banks to 'overweight', saying that the recent decline in the share prices provides a good entry level and the risk-to-reward ratios are more positive than three months ago.Lloyds and RBS are among the best performers on the blue chip index. HSBC is making moderate gains.Burberry is recovering slightly from its sell-off yesterday on speculation that the luxury brand firm is intending to list in Hong Kong.Meanwhile the mining sector is firmly higher on the back of rising metals prices. Fresnillo, Antofagasta and Rio Tinto have all been given a boost.Mining peer Kazakhmys announced this morning that it's proposed listing on the Hong Kong stock exchange will not involve the issue of any new shares. The board of Kazakhmys believes that issuing new shares at current share price levels would not create value for existing shareholders and the Hong Kong listing will, therefore, be by way of introduction. Water company Severn Trent said the new regulatory period has started well for the group with planned operational expenditure for the year below the level allowed for in the Final Determination issued by the industry's watchdog, Ofwat.Food ingredients group Tate & Lyle is under the weather despite managing to offset reduced selling prices for its SPLENDA Sucralose brand to grow sales by 7% in the year ended 31 March, while profits surged. Group revenue grew from £2.53bn to £2.72bn, beating broker estimates of around £2.6bn.First half sales at soft drinks group Britvic jumped by a quarter after a first-time contribution from its French division, helping shares higher. Group revenue grew by 25.3% from £505.3m to £633.1m in the six months ended 17 April, with Britvic France registering sales of £117.4m. ---BC