TRADING was subdued in London’s top flight share index today ahead of this week’s US interest rate decision and following the long Easter break.
Investors were looking to the United States for direction given this week’s Federal Reserve meeting, with little in the way of UK corporate news at the start of a shortened trading week.
The FTSE 100 Index, which edged 7.7 points higher to 6026, saw progress held back by falls among miners due to a recent easing in commodity prices.
Gold miner Randgold Resources and Antofagasta led declines, down 102.5p to 5202.5p and 19p to 1372p respectively.
Software developer Autonomy Corporation continued to make gains after surging last week following upbeat news on a recovery in demand for its products. It rose another 27p to 1647p today.
Banks were also higher in a buoyant session for the sector, with Royal Bank of Scotland the biggest gainer - ahead 0.7p to 42.5p.
Elsewhere, tool hire firm Speedy Hire rose 3% or 0.9p to 27.9p on news it has sold its temporary accommodation business in a deal worth £35 million.
Rival Elliott, the UK arm of North American modular building supplier Algeco Scotsman, is buying the loss-making division.
