Large-cap miners pace gains

Shares in large-cap mining groups paced gains on the top flight index after one of their number closed the sale of two of its Brazilian businesses, a possible indication that the rally in commodity prices had opened at least a window of opportunity to divest some of their assets.

London-based Anglo American on Thursday announced that China Molybdenum had put up a greater-than-expected $1,500m (£1,027m) for its niobium and phosphates units in South America´s largest economy, two of its most profitable non-core assets.

London-based Anglo American on Thursday announced that China Molybdenum had put up a greater-than-expected $1,500m (£1,027m) for its niobium and phosphates units in South America´s largest economy, two of its most profitable non-core assets.