Rough diamond sales rise at Anglo American's De Beers

Sales at Anglo American’s De Beers diamond business edged up in the ninth sales cycle of the year as orders rose ahead of Christmas.

Anglo said on Tuesday that sales of rough diamonds came in at $455m, up from $376m in the eighth sales cycle but down from $476m in the ninth cycle of last year.

De Beers chief executive Bruce Cleaver said: "Following a seasonally quieter period for rough diamond sales, Cycle 9 saw an uptick in demand from our customers as retail orders increase ahead of the Christmas season."

At 0830 GMT, Anglo shares were down 03% to 1,492p.