FTSE 100 index edges higher, despite falls in mining stocks
The FTSE 100 index opened slightly higher on the first day of trading after Christmas, despite falls in mining and oil stocks that had rallied in the build-up to the festive period.
The UK's top blue-chip index opened 0.24 per cent up at 6,271 points, led higher by Hikma Pharmaceuticals and Berkeley Group.
Read more: FTSE 100 held back in 2015 on mining, oil and banking
Housebuilders, one of the best performing sectors in 2015, were up this morning. Persimmon and Berkeley Group rose 2.28 per cent to 2,019p per share and 1.99 per cent to 3,689p per share respectively.
Meanwhile, Hikma was 2.22 per cent up at 2,302p per share, after AlphaValue reaffirmed its buy rating on the company's stock, according to MarketBeat.
However, despite gains by miners last week, Anglo American led the falls, with a 4.5 per cent drop to 313p per share. Antofagasta and Glencore were 1.73 per cent down to 455p per share and 1.15 per cent down to 91p per share respectively.
Read more: Little festive cheer for investors as FTSE 100 finishes flat
Rio Tinto fell 1.22 per cent to 1,981p per share, while Fresnillo's share price fell 1.05 per cent to 70p.
Standard Chartered, which also made gains last week, fell 0.97 per cent to 582p per share.
Meanwhile, BP also fell 1.8 per cent to 359p per share as markets opened.