Next Share News (NXT)

Markets edged higher in early trading on Monday as stocks reacted to an improving outlook in China and shrugged off disappointing economic figures from Japan.Sentiment surrounding China brightened last week as better-than-expected trade figures, strong industrial production data and subdued inflation pointed to a stabilisation in the world's second-largest economy.Speculation about further stimulus measures from Beijing was also giving stocks a boost this morning, including reports of the government offering support to certain cities and provinces to buoy growth in local economies."While few believed it would anyway, this would prove that the government isn't willing to go cold turkey on the country and will instead just be more sensible about how it offers support to the economy," said Market Analyst Craig Erlam from Alpari.Markets were more or less ignoring weak economic data from Japan this morning where annualised growth came in at 2.6% in the second quarter. This was a significant slowdown from the 3.8% growth seen in the first quarter and well below the 3.6% expansion expected.There is a lack of economic data due out elsewhere on Monday - before the schedule ramps up later in the week - while corporate earnings season seems to be winding to a close.Miners rise early onMining stocks were performing well this morning as metals prices advanced across the board. Precious metals counterparts Fresnillo and Randgold were leading the risers early on, followed closely behind by Antofagasta, Vedanta and Rio Tinto.RBS was making gains after comments from Business Secretary Vince Cable who said that the sell-off of the government's 81% stake was unlikely for another five years. Part-nationalised peer Lloyds was also higher.Tesco and Next were out of favour this morning after the Labour Party raised concerns over how the companies utilise cheap labour from migrant workers.Outsourcing giant Capita was in the red after Citigroup downgraded its rating on the stock from 'buy' to 'neutral', saying it no longer sees significant re-rating potential after a strong performance since the start of the year.Sector peer MITIE Group also fell despite saying it is well placed to achieve "good levels" of organic growth this financial year. In a trading update for the period from April 1st to date, the firm reported a positive start to the year, driven by strong performance in the facilities management division. SVG Capital, the private equity investor, was a high riser on the FTSE 250 after seeing net asset value jump by 23% in its first half, substantially outperforming its benchmarks, as profits more than doubled.  High Street bookie Ladbrokes was being weighed down by a ratings cut from JPMorgan Cazenove to 'underweight'.FTSE 100 - RisersWeir Group (WEIR) 2,215.00p +1.42%Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 4,788.00p +1.40%Fresnillo (FRES) 1,047.00p +1.16%Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 329.10p +1.07%Rio Tinto (RIO) 3,200.50p +1.04%Vedanta Resources (VED) 1,254.00p +0.97%AstraZeneca (AZN) 3,266.00p +0.96%Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 75.80p +0.92%Standard Chartered (STAN) 1,599.50p +0.79%Shire Plc (SHP) 2,404.00p +0.71%FTSE 100 - FallersDiageo (DGE) 2,092.50p -0.97%Capita (CPI) 1,009.00p -0.79%Aviva (AV.) 398.90p -0.77%International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 321.20p -0.71%Compass Group (CPG) 875.00p -0.68%United Utilities Group (UU.) 709.50p -0.63%Babcock International Group (BAB) 1,194.00p -0.58%Aberdeen Asset Management (ADN) 385.70p -0.57%Royal Dutch Shell 'A' (RDSA) 2,079.50p -0.55%Croda International (CRDA) 2,524.00p -0.51%FTSE 250 - RisersSVG Capital (SVI) 416.00p +6.64%African Barrick Gold (ABG) 134.50p +4.59%Kenmare Resources (KMR) 31.57p +4.23%Evraz (EVR) 108.50p +3.83%Salamander Energy (SMDR) 122.60p +2.94%COLT Group SA (COLT) 106.00p +2.91%Petra Diamonds Ltd.(DI) (PDL) 129.00p +2.63%Polymetal International (POLY) 735.00p +2.58%Ferrexpo (FXPO) 197.90p +2.54%Centamin (DI) (CEY) 35.62p +2.50%FTSE 250 - FallersHochschild Mining (HOC) 221.20p -7.53%Ladbrokes (LAD) 195.70p -1.71%Dialight (DIA) 1,230.00p -1.60%Soco International (SIA) 371.00p -1.46%Perform Group (PER) 535.50p -1.38%Henderson Group (HGG) 173.50p -1.31%Go-Ahead Group (GOG) 1,530.00p -1.23%Mitie Group (MTO) 272.60p -1.20%Man Group (EMG) 91.55p -0.97%Telecom Plus (TEP) 1,379.00p -0.86%BC