London midday: Lloyds lifts market

Leading shares are off the top but Footsie remains in positive territory despite the mining sector moving down virtually en masse.Vedanta is a rare bright spot among miners, benefiting from the bounce Indian stocks received in the wake of the country's election result. India's Sensex index surged by 17% today, forcing the exchange to suspend trading. Miner Antofagasta is only moderately lower after announcing it has arranged a $1.05bn, 12-year financing facility for its Esperanza copper-gold project in Chile. Definitive agreements were signed by Minera Esperanza in which Antofagasta has a 70% stake. Marubeni Corporation owns the rest.Lloyds Banking climbs after Sir Victor Blank confirmed that he is planning to step down as chairman of the group by the AGM in 2010 following continuing criticism of his bank's ill-fated purchase of rival HBOS.In a separate statement, the bank confirmed that it has agreed with HM Treasury to launch the previously announced placing and open offer on 20 May. The proceeds will be used to redeem the £4bn of preference shares held by HMT. In a change to the terms previously indicated, existing Lloyds shareholders who decline to take up their open offer entitlement will now receive a share of any profits from the sale of unsubscribed shares."Any proceeds raised in the rump placing in excess of the 38.43 pence open offer price will be distributed on a pro rata basis to those shareholders who did not participate in the placing and open offer," Lloyds said.Self storage group Big Yellow announced a placing of 11.6m shares to raise funds for medium term growth alongside a £71.5m full year loss. The fundraising, at an as yet undecided price, could raise about £31m at Friday's closing price of 270p a share, or about £29m at 250p. Great Portland Estates has confirmed it is considering a range of funding options to embark on a buying spree in the central London property market. Weekend reports suggested it is planning a cash call of between £120m-£150m to buy distressed property bargains at knock down prices. Great Portland is said to favour a right issue to be underwritten by advisers JP Morgan Cazenove and Credit Suisse. It could be announced with its results tomorrow, the reports suggested.Sector peer Shaftesbury is in the same boat, saying it is looking at options to fund a buying spree. Press reports over the week-end said was looking to add £150m to its war-chest.Revenue increased at advertising firm Aegis during the first quarter against strong comparatives, but fell when acquisitions and a "significant" exchange rate benefit are excluded. Group revenue rose 6.5% in the first three months of 2009, up 4.8% at Aegis Media and 9.6% at the Synovate market research unit. Net revenue was up 10.9%.Merchant bank Close Brothers has sold Daiwa Securities its corporate finance advisory business for a net cash consideration of £67m. Close Brothers will receive gross consideration of £75m but will contribute £8m of working capital prior to completion.Support services specialist Mitie reported a 11% rise in full-year profits and said it sees opportunities for sustainable profitable growth. Pre-tax profit rose to £78.4m in the year ended 31 March from £70.6m last time as revenue increased 8.2% to £1,521.9m. The final dividend is up 15.0% to 6.9pFTSE 100 - RisersThomas Cook Group (TCG) 248.25p +10.95%Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 93.60p +4.93%Standard Chartered (STAN) 1,228.00p +4.51%Home Retail Group (HOME) 249.50p +4.18%FTSE 100 - FallersRio Tinto (RIO) 2,544.00p -4.50%Eurasian Natural Resources (ENRC) 567.00p -4.30%Fresnillo (FRES) 595.50p -3.72%Xstrata (XTA) 594.00p -3.49%