Morning Markets: FTSE follows Asian markets upwards

The FTSE took its early lead from strong gains in Asia rather than muted US markets, up by 0.5% to 5,723.51.

Asia's Nikkei 225 index had risen 2.1% to 10,013.63 overnight, while America's Dow Jones closed down 0.1% at 11,007.88. In the UK, SAB Miller jumped 4% to £21.25 after first half earnings beat analyst estimates. Upbeat announcements from European peers helped British Airways rise 2.5% to 268p. Eurasian Natural Resources, Kazakhmys and Vedanta Resources each climbed by about 2%, regaining some of the ground the mining sector lost earlier this week. A 34% increase in half year operating profits helped Investec rise 1.5% to 507.5p. Among blue chip losers, Capita Group fell 5.3% ...