Market round-up: Mining firms lead the charge up the FTSE 100 but new record elusive

Mining companies supported London's FTSE 100 stock index on 23 April after weak Chinese manufacturing data prompted speculation that Beijing would intervene with fresh stimulus measures to boost economic growth.

Anglo American led the way, gaining 4.73%, heading the top five risers, which is dominated by miners. Antofagasta stocks jumped 4.67% after it sold off its Chilean water business to a Colombian company.

Notable fallers include advertising giant WPP, which fell 1.50% after giving a disappointing update. Sports Direct's stock dropped 2.30% after the UK released surprisingly weak retail figures for March. Analysts had expected retail sales to grow in the month but sales fell, largely as a result of falling petrol sales.

Two major insurers headed the fallers, with Legal & General and Old Mutual dropping by 4.37% and 2.69% respectively. Overall, the index rose 0.36% to 7,053.67.

FTSE 100 biggest risers

Anglo American +48.00 (+4.73%) 1,062.00
Antofagasta Holdings +35.00 (+4.67%) 784.50
Fresnillo +24.50 (+3.49%) 727.50
Rio Tinto plc +94.50 (+3.30%) 2,958.00
BHP Billiton plc +48.50 (+3.27%) 1,531.50

FTSE 100 biggest fallers

Legal & General Group plc -12.10 (-4.37%) 265.10
Old Mutual Plc -6.40 (-2.69%) 231.10
Sports Direct Intl Plc -14.50 (-2.30%) 616.50
Mondi Plc -31.00 (-2.30%) 1,322.00
Johnson Matthey Plc -61.00 (-2.29%) 3,405.00