FTSE surges on positive China data

London's leading shares surged in morning trading, with mining stocks leading the charge on the back of positive economic data coming out of China.

As of 10.30 GMT, the FTSE 100 was up 1.06%, or 55.35, to 5299. Morning winners include Xstrata, Kazakhmys and Rio Tinto, whose strong showing was powered by figures showing China's industrial production grew last month at its fastest pace since June 2007. Legal & General and Admiral Group are both down. The Dow Jones also finished in positive territory at the close of trading yesterday, up 0.67%, or 68.78, to 10,405, with shares seemingly unaffected by disappointing unemployment figures. Sentiment was boosted, however, by news of a better-than-expected US trade deficit, which stands at $...