FTSE hits 14-year high as miners and housebuilders rally

The FTSE 100 has soared to its highest level since early 2000, as mining and housing stocks boost the blue-chip index at the start of the week.

The index, which closed 0.6% up on Monday at 6,851, has risen another 0.3% this morning to as high as 6,877, surpassing the 14-year intraday high of 6,876 set last May. That puts the index in sight of its record closing high of 6,930, as well as the intraday record of 6,950, both of which were set at the end of 1999. Mining stocks were the biggest gainers in the index yesterday, with Rio Tinto rising 4.8% on Monday, while Antofagasta and BHP Billiton were up 3.5% and 2.7%, respectively. This morning's top gainers, meanwhile, have focused on the housebuilding sector, buoyed by a pos...