Miners were topping the FTSE Tuesday, with Fresnillo jumping more than 7 percent, Lonmin rising more than 6 percent and Xstrata up nearly 5 percent.
Kazakhmys stock jumped 4.7 percent on rising metal prices and a share-view upgrade from Evolution Securities. Evolution raised its target price on Kazakhmys to 450p from 190p on stronger copper forecasts. It now expects copper prices at 150 cents next year, up from 125 cents.
Shares of Vodafone sank 1.8 percent after UBS downgraded the telecommunications company to "neutral" from "buy." Economic pressures, a loss of market share and an impact from currency moves all dragged on expectations, UBS said. The Swiss bank said Vodafone’s earnings will fall 11 percent this year.
- Reuters contributed to this report.
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