London close: FTSE 100 hits new highs

The leading share index closed just off its highest levels since the first half of 2008, before the global economic crash, after banks and miners led another day of gains.With copper prices at a record in London on hopes that strength in the US will help sustain global economic growth, miners such as India's Vedanta and Mexican silver specialist Fresnillo went well.Banks were also strong, with good gains for Barclays, RBS and Lloyds. Reports, since played down, that Business secretary Vince Cable could walk away from the coalition may have spurred some interest as the bonus season approaches.Shares in Carnival steamed ahead in the afternoon after the cruise operator posted strong earnings for the fourth quarter and issued a bullish update for 2011. The company, which operates P&O and other brands, was helped by a gradually recovering economy. Fourth quarter earnings rose to $0.31 a share from $0.24 in the same period the previous year. Revenues rose to $3.5bn from $3.3bn.Womenswear clothing retailer Alexon has issued a weather-related profit warning. The snow has hurt sales during the crucial run-up to Christmas. It estimates the weather could knock £1.5m off profits for the year ending 29 January 2011. Other potential weather casualties are also under pressure. Retailer Dunelm is worst performer on the FTSE 350, but bingo club operator Rank, Dixons and Supergroup are all lower.In other company news, AstraZeneca is to stop all development work on its fledgling respiratory drug motavizumab, resulting in a $445m impairment charge this quarter. Astra had already flagged up this possibility and has been considering the future of motavizumab since August.BG Group's chief financial officer Ashley Almanza is leaving the oil company at the end of March next year, and will be replaced by ex-Vale finance boss Fabio de Oliveira Barbosa.Credit card and ID theft specialist CPP is on track this year as growth elsewhere continues to offset a difficult market in southern Europe. Zotefoams fell even though it remains on course for a 20% lift in sales this year after fourth quarter revenues rose 7% driven by a surge at the high peformance end of its business. Profit before tax and exceptional items for 2010 will be in line with market expectations, the foam maker added.Lamprell, a provider of engineering services to oil & gas companies, is looking for a new finance chief after Scott Doak decided to call it a day. The 48-year-old, who's been with the group since March 2007, will leave by the end of 2011 "to pursue other interests".FTSE 100 - RisersRoyal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 40.18p +4.47%Anglo American (AAL) 3,272.50p +4.17%Carnival (CCL) 2,905.00p +3.71%Xstrata (XTA) 1,506.00p +3.51%Vedanta Resources (VED) 2,473.00p +3.26%Eurasian Natural Resources Corp. (ENRC) 1,031.00p +3.15%Antofagasta (ANTO) 1,594.00p +3.04%Fresnillo (FRES) 1,594.00p +3.04%ARM Holdings (ARM) 403.50p +2.91%BHP Billiton (BLT) 2,584.00p +2.87%FTSE 100 - FallersAggreko (AGK) 1,524.00p -2.93%Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 5,490.00p -1.96%Cairn Energy (CNE) 415.00p -1.26%BG Group (BG.) 1,317.00p -1.09%Intertek Group (ITRK) 1,862.00p -0.90%Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 370.00p -0.78%Capital Shopping Centres Group (CSCG) 416.70p -0.76%BT Group (BT.A) 185.80p -0.69%British Sky Broadcasting Group (BSY) 728.50p -0.68%GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) 1,256.00p -0.55%FTSE 250 - RisersMondi (MNDI) 509.50p +5.03%Centamin Egypt Ltd. (CEY) 172.60p +3.79%Elementis (ELM) 138.30p +3.67%Computacenter (CCC) 401.90p +3.64%Chemring Group (CHG) 2,959.00p +3.50%Impax Environmental Markets (IEM) 127.10p +3.33%Regus (RGU) 85.00p +3.09%Bellway (BWY) 641.00p +3.05%John Wood Group (WG.) 554.50p +2.97%Catlin Group Ltd. (CGL) 374.60p +2.80%FTSE 250 - FallersSupergroup (SGP) 1,261.00p -5.47%Rank Group (RNK) 133.70p -3.47%Renishaw (RSW) 1,263.00p -3.29%Hikma Pharmaceuticals (HIK) 795.00p -2.63%Marston's (MARS) 109.00p -2.33%Shanks Group (SKS) 123.30p -2.14%BlueCrest AllBlue Fund Ltd. GBP Shares (BABS) 167.80p -1.81%Grainger (GRI) 98.50p -1.79%Daejan Holdings (DJAN) 2,670.00p -1.73%CPP Group (CPP) 300.00p -1.64%