FTSE 100 movers: Miners rally as metals prices rise; Experian hit by downgrade

London's FTSE 100 was up 0.4% at 7,194.41 in afternoon trade on Thursday amid signs of progress in Sino-US trade relations.

Miners Antofagasta, Anglo American, Glencore, Rio Tinto and BHP were all higher as copper and iron ore prices advanced. Rio was also boosted by an upgrade to 'buy' from 'hold' at HSBC.

On the downside, Barratt Developments, Centrica and Tesco were all weaker as their stock went ex-dividend.

Credit-checking firm Experian retreated after a downgrade to 'neutral' from 'buy' at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, which cut its price target on the stock to 2,675p.

FTSE 100 - Risers

Antofagasta (ANTO) 861.20p 4.14%
Anglo American (AAL) 1,918.20p 3.69%
Kingfisher (KGF) 191.75p 3.15%
Glencore (GLEN) 231.90p 3.14%
Prudential (PRU) 1,430.25p 2.71%
BT Group (BT.A) 182.76p 2.69%
Melrose Industries (MRO) 194.00p 2.02%
Rio Tinto (RIO) 4,096.00p 1.93%
Legal & General Group (LGEN) 238.00p 1.88%
BHP Group (BHP) 1,694.00p 1.80%

FTSE 100 - Fallers

Barratt Developments (BDEV) 572.80p -6.01%
Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) 1,760.50p -3.08%
Fresnillo (FRES) 650.00p -2.90%
Centrica (CNA) 66.64p -2.00%
Tesco (TSCO) 223.10p -1.85%
Just Eat (JE.) 620.00p -1.81%
Associated British Foods (ABF) 2,084.00p -1.65%
Intertek Group (ITRK) 5,266.00p -1.42%
Experian (EXPN) 2,518.00p -1.41%
Aveva Group (AVV) 3,634.00p -1.30%