Market round-up: FTSE 100 mining giants fall hard as Sky rises

Sky reported strong third quarter results on Tuesday, sending its share price higher Reuters

Britain's FTSE 100 made minor gains on 21 April as some of the biggest mining companies slumped, led by Anglo-Australian giant Rio Tinto, whose trading update disappointed investors.

Anglo American and BHP Billiton also fell but the day's biggest faller was Associated British Foods, owner of discount fashion chain Primark, which fell 151 points. The company reported profits halved in the six months to February and warned full-year profits could be affected, following a dramatic slump in sugar prices in the European Union.

Sky was the top performer, gaining 53 points after it posted better-than-expected third-quarter results. Overall, the index finished the day at 7,062.93, up 10.8 points.

FTSE 100 biggest risers

Sky plc +53.00 (+5.04%) 1,105.00
ARM Holdings plc +45.00 (+3.91%) 1,195.00
InterContinental Hotels Group plc +94.00 (+3.37%) 2,880.00
WPP plc +42.00 (+2.72%) 1,586.00
Persimmon plc +45.00 (+2.62%) 1,761.00

FTSE 100 biggest fallers

Associated British Foods plc -151.00 (-5.27%) 2,712.00
Weir Group plc -68.00 (-3.60%) 1,822.00
Rio Tinto plc -62.00 (-2.16%) 2,812.00
Anglo American -21.00 (-2.02%) 1,017.00
BHP Billiton plc -18.50 (-1.25%) 1,463.00