Clerical Medical Stockwatch

Kazakhmys, Kazakhstan's largest copper producer was the best performing share in the FTSE 100 in terms of total shareholder return (TSR) during February, according to the report.

Across the wider market, the total return of the FTSE 100 Index rose 1.9%, while total returns for the FTSE Small Cap Index increased by 5.1%. The FTSE All Share experienced a 2.2% increase in total returns, slightly higher than the average gain of 1.6% for the month of February since 1987.

Sector performance

Industrial metals and mining were the best performing sectors during February with a TSR of 27% and 15% respectively.

Mobile telecoms and fixed line telecoms were the worst performing sectors in February, with a TSR of -8% and -7% respectively.

FTSE 100 Best Company Performances

All of the top five performers on the FTSE 100 Index are from the mining sector, benefiting from soaring aluminium and copper prices. The second best performer was Antofagasta, the copper mining company. Its TSR was 29%.

Vedanta Resources, the metals and mining group, rose after an improved analyst rating from UBS that upgrading its recommendation from neutral to buy with a raised target share price of £26. Its TSR was 23%.

Anglo American, one of the world's largest mining and natural resource groups, rose after speculation that the company would bid for Xstrata. Its TSR was 20%.

The miner Rio Tinto was the fifth best performer with a TSR of 17%.

FTSE 250 Best Company Performances

FKI, the engineering group, topped the FTSE 250 performersafter speculation of new bids for the company.Its TSR was 37%.

Ferrexpo,the Ukrainian ore miner, rose afterDeutsche Bank upgraded the resources company to buy from hold. Its TSR was 33%.

International Ferro Metals rose after the company announced it planned to build three new ferrochrome smelters in South Africa to boost output to 650,000 tonnes a year. Its TSR was 33%.

Aricom, the Anglo-Russian developer of mineral resources, benefited from news that its Kuranakh iron ore and ilmentite mine would start production in June. Its TSR was 30%.

Aquarius Platinum, a producer of the precious metal platinum in South Africa and Zimbabwe, benefited after the price of the metal reached record highs. Its TSR was 29%.

FTSE 100 Poor Performers

Directories publisher Yell Group was the worst performer of the FTSE 100 in February. The company was hit after US rival RH Donnelley warned in a trading statement of an advertising sales decline. Its TSR was - 27%.

Shares of Rentokil, the services conglomerate, slumped after the company issued its second profit warning in three months and said Brian McGowan was stepping down as chairman. Its TSR was -26%.

The London Stock Exchange Group had a TSR of -12%.

FTSE 250 Poor Performers

CSR, the Bluetooth chipmaker was the worst performing stock on the FTSE 250 in February. Shares fell afterthe company announced earning would miss analyst estimates and its finance director would be replaced. Its TSR was -38%.

Bradford & Bingley had a TSR of -16% in February.

Tim Rees, director, UK equities, said: "Stock markets endured a bumpy ride at the start of the year; however, it is encouraging to see that during February the FTSE All Share experienced a 2.2% rise in total shareholder returns.

"We remain broadly positive on equities in the medium term, as valuations in the major markets are in neutral territory. We anticipate moderate, rather than negative, economic and earnings growth."