Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.L) was the biggest riser this morning (at 0932) after reporting a 46 per cent rise in pre-tax profits in its preliminary results.

The Bristol-based financial services company saw its share price rise by 14.8 per cent to 496p after a bullish set of results.

Its pre-tax profits rise to £126 million in the year to 30 June 2011, compared with £86.3 million during the prior year.

Revenue also increased, rising 31 per cent year-on-year to £207.9 million from £159 million.

The company also reported a 41 per cent rise in assets under administration from £17.5 billion to £24.6 billion.

Ian Gorham, chief executive of Hargreaves Lansdown, said 50,000 new active clients had chosen its Vantage fund administration platform.

He said, 'Such organic growth has been made possible by the ever growing reputation for client satisfaction attributed to the dedication and diligence of our staff who I thank for their continued valuable contribution.'

The company increased its final dividend to 8.41p, compared with 0.58p in 2010, and an increased special dividend of 5.96p, rising from 1.7p in the prior-year.

Also at the top were a trio of British banks, Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS.L), Barclays (BARC.L) and Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY.L).

RBS rose 7.8 per cent to 26.15p, while Barclays and Lloyds both saw share price increase by 5.5 per cent to 180.2p and 35.45p, respectively.

Imperial Tobacco (IMT.L) was the only non-financial riser in the top five this morning, with share price up 0.8 per cent to 2,058p.

The biggest fallers were all miners this morning (at 0933), with Mexican silver miner Fresnillo (FRES.L) leading the pack.

Fresnillo dropped 3.2 per cent to 2,033p, while Eurasian Natural Resources (ENRC.L) fell 2.6 per cent to 664p.

Xstrata (XTA.L) and Kazakhmys (KAZ.L) both shed 2.5 per cent, down to 1,052p and 1,064p, respectively, as Lonmin (LMI.L) fell 2.4 per cent to 1,281p.

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