FTSE adds 100 points on miner gains

The FTSE opened sharply higher in early trading on Wednesday following positive corporate earnings updates in the US and advancing metal prices.

London's leading index is 94 points, or 1.6%, higher at 5,991. Sentiment was boosted by strong earnings updates in the US, with healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson, Yahoo and tech firm IBM all posting better than expected results. Miners drove the improvement in London's top flight on rising metal prices. Antofagasta and Xstrata have risen 3.11% and 2.91% respectively. However, Resolution is down 1.68% at 287.5p, having gone ex-dividend today. In Europe, the Cac is up 1.38% at 3962.64, while the Dax is up 1.63% at 7154.37. Meanwhile, in Asia, the Nikkei closed up 1.76% at 9,60...