Equities markets were higher in London on Thursday as the FTSE 100 added 0.4 percent to 6,380.9 and the FTSE 250 also gained 0.4 percent to 11,584.4.
Miners advanced on the session on higher prices for copper, which were up by around 6 percent on the session. Antofagasta (LSE:ANTO) gained 3.4 percent to 489p, while Kazakhmys (LSE: KAZ) added 3.6 percent to £11.65 and Xstrata (LSE: XTA) was 3.7 percent higher to £25.72.
The tobacco sector was mixed. Imperial Tobacco (LSE: IMT) was down 0.3 percent to £21.93 when Altadis (IBEX-35: ALT) of Spain denied rumors that it could make a joint bid for the company along with Philip Morris (NYSE: MO). On the other hand, British American Tobacco (LSE: BATS; AMEX: BTI; KLSE: BAT) added 0.5 percent to £15.74 as investors hoped that it would introduce increased share buybacks and cost-cutting measures when it issues its full-year report next week.
Emap (LSE: EMA) gained 0.8 percent to 737p as rumors circulated that it might offer one of its divisions for sale. Several buyers were suggested as possibly being interested in different units. In addition, Panmure Gordon upgraded the media group to “buy”.