FTSE steadies

London's blue chip share index recovered some of its poise today as miners returned to favour following yesterday's sell-off.

The FTSE 100 Index lost 1% yesterday as mining stocks fell and economic jitters hit market sentiment.

In a quiet day for company news the market regained some its losses, climbing back above the 5300 threshold. The Footsie added 32.9 points to 5300.6 in the first hour of trading.

London's rise follows a retreat on Wall Street and in Asian markets as evidence of a weak economic recovery continued to pile up.

The mining sector dominated the market's risers board, led by Fresnillo with a 2% increase, up 21.5p to 893p. This was followed by Lonmin, which gained 36p to 1721p and Kazakhmys, up 26p at 1299p.

With little in the way of company news, broker comments were behind many of today's movements.

Travel firm Thomas Cook and Thomson owner TUI Travel led the fallers board after a downgrade from Morgan Stanley. Thomas Cook slid almost 4%, down 8.6p at 209.9p, while TUI dropped 6.5p to 248.7p.

Meanwhile Cable & Wireless was the beneficiary of positive comment, gaining 3p to 138.6p, after JP Morgan said the company's demerger plans keep management motivated to deliver.