Mining stocks surface for TD customers

Darren Hepworth, Trading and Customer Services Director, TD Waterhouse comments: "TD customer buys were up by over a third in the week ending Tuesday, 27 September, while the number of sells decreased by almost 20% on last week, resulting in a buy/sell ratio of 1.3:1. Mining stocks accounted for 33% of the top ten buy trades with big banks also proving popular, making up nearly 60% of all top ten trades combined.

"Our customers' attention focused on fluctuating mining stocks this week, which have suffered mixed fortunes in recent times over concerns that a potential global recession could result in diminished demand for commodities.

"Rio Tinto (RIO) entered the buys in sixth position, two places behind top ten regular, Xstrata Plc (XTA), which rose three places on last week to fourth. Other new entries to the top ten buys table included Kazakhmy's (KAZ) at seventh place and Antofagasta (ANTO) and BHP Billiton Plc (BLT), which both entered the table in ninth and 10th places respectively.

"Aviva (AV) moved up the buys table to take third place - its share price slipped towards the end of last week on growing fears about the insurance giant's exposure to the debts of troubled eurozone countries. The company's share price hit a week low of 268p on Friday (23 September), but rebounded at the beginning of this week, closing at 308p on Tuesday (27 September).

"As for the banks, Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY), Barclays (BARC) and Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) held the top three positions respectively in the sells, with Barclays taking pole position in the buys, leaving Lloyds in second, as RBS dropped one place to fifth."