RAMSEY CROOKALL & CO 3rd  February 2012 Evening Report The FTSE 100 finished up 1.8% at 5901.07 after another day of better-than-expected US economic data, with the highlight being the estimate-beating US nonfarm payrolls report for January. The ISM non-manufacturing report also beat expectations, supporting the bullish tone. Mining shares  weighed on the index after yesterday's strong rise with Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, Kazakhmys and Antofagasta among the worst performers. Xstrata and Glencore however, were made gains a day after announcing that they are in talks about a merger of equals to create a giant company valued at around £52bn. Admiral jumped into the top spot after extending its existing UK car insurance reinsurance partnership with Hannover Re, Mapfre Re, New Re and Swiss Re until 2014. "Reinsurance has been at the core of Admiral's successful business model since 2000 and we look forward to continuing our mutually beneficial relationships with our partners for many years to come," said Chief Executive Officer Henry Engelhardt. Telecoms giant BT  headed north, after profits jumped 48% in the third quarter, as the firm announced that it now expects to achieve earnings  above £6,000m this year. Elsewhere, British Gas owner  Centrica was on the rise after analysts suggested it could return up to £1.2bn to shareholders. Savings, investments and insurance group Old Mutual  rose on news it has announced plans to return around £1bn of net proceeds to shareholders in a special dividend payment, resulting from the proposed sale of its Nordic business or £2.1bn. The remaining £1.1bn generated from the sale will be used to reduce debt. THE FTSE 100 closed                     Up          105           @      5,901 THE DOW JONES @ 17:00                   Up          132           @    12,837 THE NASDAQ @ 17:00                      Up          42            @     2,901 Exchange Rates GBP – USD       @      17:00                     1.5779 GBP - EURO     @      17:00                     1.2039 ?? ?? ?? ??