Highest FTSE Close since June 2008

London equities lacked strength and direction for most of the day on Wednesday, but found both late in the day after trade data from China revealed that exports and exports rose by 45.7% and 44%, respectively, in February compared with the same month last year and a bright start on Wall Street. The FTSE 100 Index closed up 38.27 points, or 0.7%, to 5,640.27, its highest closing level for 20 months.

Mining stocks added most points to the index as the price of copper rose on hopes of global economic recovery. Silver miner Fresnillo, up 27p, or 3.12%, at 867p, was the best performer in the sector, but there were also healthy gains for Xstrata, up 31.5p, or 2.67%, at 1,210.5p, Vedanta Resources, up 64p, or...