The FTSE 100 Index struggled to find direction today, closing broadly flat at 5,793.2 as the euphoria from last week’s European Central Bank move to tackle the debt crisis wore thin.
Concerns about the Chinese economy dominated trader sentiment.
Kazakhmys topped the risers board, with a gain of 29p to 686.5p, while Vedanta Resources added 27.5p to £10.03 and Fresnillo advanced 32p to £17.56.
Mining giant Xstrata continued its rally as investors warmed to revised merger terms offered by commodities trader Glencore.
Xstrata was 12.5p higher at 1026.5p, while Glencore fell 8.1p to £3.70.
High street giant Marks and Spencer was ahead 3%, or 9.9p to 371.1p as reports resurfaced that banks were exploring debt packages to back a potential buyout of the retailer by private equity firms.
Royal Bank of Scotland lifted 8.5p to £2.53 amid reports that it could start the process of spinning off its insurance arm Direct Line Group through a stock market flotation as early as this week.
Associated British Foods was among the heavier fallers, down 2%, or 26p to £12.80, despite another strong update from budget retail division Primark.
SABMiller down 62.5p to £27 and United Utilities off 14p at £6.87, were among others on the slide.
Outside the top flight, JJB Sports put in a volatile performance amid concerns about its future. Shares swung wildly from 4% higher to up to 20% lower before closing 10%, or 0.03p lower at 0.24p.
Mitchells and Butlers cheered investors by naming a new chief executive. Shares were 4%, or 10.2p higher at 288.7p.
Housebuilder Barratt Developments was ahead 2%, or 4.2p at 173.3p amid reports it is poised to reveal a special dividend alongside full-year results on Wednesday.
Elaine McLachlan, of investment manager and financial planning specialist Brewin Dolphin in Inverness, noted Xcite Energy gaining 5.9% to 124.75p and Plexus Holdings rising 4.1% to 135.88p as well as Johnston Press off 4.4% at 5.8p, Premier Oil down 2.7% at 376.5p and A.G. Barr falling 2.1% to 459.2p.