20 January 2021 | 12:07pm
StockMarketWire.com - All eyes were on Washington as president-elect Joe Biden prepared for his inauguration later on Wednesday. However the FTSE 100 struggled to muster any enthusiasm trading a smidge lower at 6,711.13 by midday.
US futures suggested a more bullish feel to trading on Wall Street amid excitement over a potential spending spree from the incoming administration.
In a busy morning for the mining sector, BHP firmed 2.4% to £21.63 after it reported a 3% rise in fourth-quarter iron ore output on a year-on-year basis, plus higher production of copper, offset by lower oil and gas output.
BHP also upped its iron ore production guidance for 2021, narrowed its copper guidance and cut its energy coal guidance.