Financial News

LONDON (ShareCast) - 1525: Footsie (news) has managed to stay in the blue despite a lower start in the US, but only just. Rio Tinto (LSE: RIO.L - news) is now the best performing stock, on a good day for the mining sector following losses yesterday. In the FTSE 250 (news) , housebuilders are going well, following Persimmon (LSE: PSN.L - news) 's lead after it said it has seen both volume and revenues improve recently. FTSE 100 up 3 at 4,198.

1425: Footsie still sits in the blue as investors await the US open. Miners still dominate the risers, with Kazakhmys (LSE: KAZ.L - news) at the top of the pile. Can maker Rexam (LSE: REX.L - news) and interdealer broker ICAP (LSE: IAP.L - news) are also higher. FTSE 100 up 28 at 4,223.

1210: Footsie remains in the blue with miners still in charge after a bad day yesterday. Kazakhstan's Kazakhmys leads the way, but Mexican silver (MSM.V - news) miner Fresnillo (LSE: FRES.L - news) is at the bottom of the pile. In the FTSE 250, housebuilder Persimmon leads the way after it said it has seen both volume and revenues improve recently and expects that trend to continue against the weak conditions experienced throughout the second half of 2008. FTSE 100 up 33 at 4,228.

1045 Footsie has picked up slightly as miners continue winning back some of yesterday's losses. Fashion retailer Next is now the heaviest faller. FTSE 100 up 32 at 4,227.

0930: A partial recovery in the mining sector is helping keep Footsie in the blue. Platinum miner Lonmin (LSE: LMI.L - news) is one of today's best performers although it is still some way from winnning back yesterday's losses. However, another precious metal miner, silver specialist Fresnillo, is today's heaviest faller. FTSE 100 up 8 at 4,203.

0840: Footsie is marking time with investors not sure yet what to make of last night's late rally on Wall Street. Miners have recovered some of yesterday's losses. Supermarket chain Wm Morrison is the best performer. Wolseley (LSE: WOS.L - news) is lower on a gloomy update from heavy end rival CRH (Dublin: CRG.IR - news) . FTSE 100 up 3 at 4,199.