FTSE 100 round-up: Mining stocks gain on positive China service sector data

Rio Tinto's Northparkes copper-gold mine in Central West New South Wales. Handout

Mining companies seized the biggest gains on the FTSE 100 at close on Wednesday (5 August) after some positive data emerged from China. Yet the market stalled in making any large gains due to a slowdown in the UK's services sector.

Miners Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton gained +3.93% and +3.58% to become the top risers on the London stock exchange. Anglo American, Antofagasta, Glencore, and Fresnillo also made gains. Rio Tinto will deliver its second quarter results on Thursday 6 August.

The latest rise follows new data which showed growth in China's services sector in July at its highest level since August 2014. Overall the FTSE 100 gained 0.98% to finish the day at 6,752.41p.

"Legal & General beat first half forecasts with an 18% jump in operating profits and a 19% increase in its interim dividend. The group has seen strong organic growth in the UK and US and has reduced its costs by selling or closing non-core businesses. L&G has positioned itself to provide de-risking solutions for around $10tn of defined benefit pension liabilities globally, of which around £1.8tn is in the UK," said AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

FTSE 100 biggest risers