(MENAFN- ProactiveInvestors) Footsie was down in the doldrums at the midday point with the oil price slide and disappointing data weighing although miners were on the up.
The UK benchmark was down over 21 points at the time of writing to stand at 6393.
Equipment rental firm () was the biggest laggard down more than 7%. after a broker downgrade on its US peer yesterday.
The fall in crude prices continues with the black gold reaching new lows having plunged yesterday.
Benchmark brent reached a low today of US$51.23 per barrel.
New figures showed that the UK service-sector growth slowed more than expected in December 2014 as the purchasing managers’ index (PMI) fell to 55.8 from 58.6.
The Greek situation is still in focus with some analysts suggesting the election in the country could be the end of the Eurozone thus there is heightened investment activity surrounding safe-haven assets such as gold.
Indeed miners were on the front foot Tuesday. () was the biggest gainer up 2.67% and () was 2.29% higher. () added 1.3%.
A notable London riser was small cap Amphiion Innovations () which saw shares skyrocket over 155%.
It comes after its database software subsidiary DataTern received a boost on appeal in its patent infringement battle with MicroStrategy and other tech firms.
A US Federal Court has sent the case back to the Massachusetts District Court that previously ruled MicroStrategy had not infringed DataTern’s patents.
() also added over 57% on the day as it received written notification that the lease cancellation order for Block VI of the Thar coalfield in Pakistan will be rescinded on receipt of a performance guarantee from SCEL and it setting up a new office in Karachi.
Meanwhile speciality metals development company Wolf Minerals ( ASX:WLF) nudged 0.95% higher as it has settled on the company it wants to provide grid power to its Drakelands mine in Devon.
Following a tender process conducted by The Energy Services Partnership Ltd DONG Energy has been awarded the contract to supply grid power to Drakelands an open pit mine currently being constructed at the company's Hemerdon tungsten and tin project.
Four Ortac () directors have topped up their holdings the mininbg firm said today. Shares went 4.76% higher.
Elsewhere a review of historical drilling data at its recently acquired Kerboulé gold project in northern Burkina Faso has confirmed its potential said () which added 4% on the day.
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