The FTSE 100 slipped fractionally today, ending the day just 4.6 points down at 5450.2.
The blue-chip index of London's top 100 companies seesawed over the course of the day, touching a low of 5425.3 and at one point rising to 5498.7.
The mixed trading picture saw mining stocks among the day's gainers, spurred on by BHP Billiton's record results, while the losers were led by the London Stock Exchange, which is facing competition from the newly launched Turquoise platform.
Shares in London Stock Exchange slid 38p to 765p, wiping out a modest gain on Friday, Turquoise's launch day.
Mining giant BHP Billiton's record results gave a lift to many of its industry peers.
Shares in BHP itself, which reported a 12.4% rise in full-year attributable profit to $15.4bn, were up 8p to £15.37.
More substantial gainers included Rio Tinto, the subject of a proposed $130bn takeover by BHP, which gained 78p to close at £46.83.
Kazakhmys rose 30p to £12.03, while Anglo American was up 56p to £27.91.
