The Times online11 May 2011 22:40
Business Staff
Last updated May 11 2011 1:10PM
Strong miners lifted the FTSE 100 today on hopes of good demand from China, as investors digested a Bank of England inflation report that could mean a rate rise sooner than markets previously thought.
The blue chip index was up seven points, or 0.1 per cent, at 6,023 at lunchtime. The miners gained pace as investors bought into a sector that has endured recent sharp falls, with some analysts saying China’s bumper trade data this week was enough to indicate continued confidence in metals demand regardless of potential rate hikes.