LONDON (ShareCast) - Firmer metals prices help mining stocks, with copper steady today after rising for the first day in five yesterday.

Rio Tinto, Antofagasta, BHP Billiton and Kazakhmys are among the FTSE 100 miners posting gains.

Gold and platinum prices have advanced, lifting precious metal specialists such as Greatland Gold and Aquarius Platinum.

Tobacco stocks are lower though after Credit Suisse cut its price target on Imperial Tobacco to 2,450p from 2,600p. The broker says it sees lower growth from the Lambert and Butler cigarette and Rizla rolling paper maker’s international operations. Lucky Strike owner British American Tobacco is down in sympathy.

Top performing sectors so far today
Food Producers & Processors 4,155.00 +3.87%
Mining 21,179.40 +2.80%
Industrial Metals 5,701.90 +2.00%
Oil & Gas Producers 7,547.80 +1.82%
Fixed Line Telecommunications 2,484.30 +1.69%

Bottom performing sectors so far today
Tobacco 23,088.60 -1.91%
Technology Hardware & Equipment 234.40 -1.55%
Aerospace and Defence 3,298.20 -1.45%
Banks 6,863.00 -1.43%
Electronic & Electrical Equipment 2,024.80 -1.34%

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