THE FTSE 100 Index stabilised after Wednesday’s slump, sparked by disappointment over the Bank of England’s forward guidance policy, climbing 18.5 points to 6529.7.

Mining stocks climbed, with Chilean-based copper miner Antofagasta up 32p to 876.5p and and platinum firm Anglo American surging 59.5p to 1454.5p.

More upbeat data from the housing market also boosted sentiment, with home repossessions sliding to their lowest levels since 2007 in the first six months of this year.

But the market failed to stage a convincing rally amid continuing worries about central bank stimulus both from Threadneedle Street and across the Atlantic where Wall Street was jumpy over comments from US Federal Reserve officials.

In London, insurance firm Aviva said that its turnaround efforts were starting to pay off as cost-cutting helped deliver a better-than-expected boost to half-year earnings.

Recently-appointed boss Mark Wilson said it was a satisfactory performance, with underlying operating profits up five per cent to £1bn for the six months to June 30, and new business up 17 per cent to £401m.

Shares climbed 28.2p to 399p.

But life and pensions provider Standard Life’s six per cent hike in halfyear operating profits to £304m was lower than expected by the market, sending its shares down 9.9p to 377.5p.

Outside the top flight, bookmakers Ladbrokes dropped 8.1p to 199.6p after reporting a 49 per cent plunge in its interim pretax profits, to £55.1m.

Housebuilder Bellway lifted 25p to 1502p as it joined rivals in praising the Government’s Help to Buy scheme for boosting buyer demand.

It’s full-year order book was up by more than 50 per cent.