Sector movers: Financials and miners lead gradual gain

The FTSE 100 effected a tentative rise on Monday, with financials and miners leading the index higher.

By the close, the Footsie was 0.57% higher at 6,174.57, while the FTSE 250 had gained 0.59% to 16,693.10.

With markets still digesting the European Central Bank (ECB) decision to cut the refi and discount rates by five and ten basis points respectively, increase the asset purchase programme to €80bn per month and expand purchases to non-bank bonds, the week is scheduled to see the Japanese, Australian, UK and US central banks all meet to decide on policy.

On Wednesday, the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is meeting but is not expected to alter its policies.

Meanwhile, Chancellor George Osborne will deliver his annual Budget, where he is looking to plug an £18bn hole in the national accounts and is predicted to unveil another increase in insurance premium tax.

Insurers were the biggest fallers on Monday as a result, including Aviva, Standard Life and Admiral Group, with the latter also dragged lower by downgrades from Bank of America Merrill Lynch and HSBC.

However, other financials groups were on the front foot, including emerging markets-focused fund group Aberdeen Asset Management amid somewhat of a tentative rally in some emerging markets, with Asia specialist Standard Chartered also among the risers.

Miners Anglo American and Glencore were also advancing on the back of positive moves among some metals.

Copper prices were close to March highs, outperforming peers in response to a bounce back in Japanese Machine Orders and hopes for more stimulus measures from Chinese policymakers.