Miners, Vodafone peg back FTSE

By David Brett

LONDON (Reuters) - The leading share index ticked down 0.1 percent on Tuesday, ending a four-day winning run, as weakness in miners and Vodafone (VOD.L) offset strength in banks, underpinned by a strong update from HSBC (HSBA.L).

The FTSE 100 .FTSE closed 4.63 points lower at 5,230.55, after hitting a two-week high earlier in the session.

"After last week's slew of economic data and Monday's big gains on the major indexes it's no surprise that today has really been a nothing day," said James Hughes, market analyst at CMC Markets.

"The fact that the major indexes have managed to recover to these levels has left many with renewed optimism about the state of financial markets as we move towards the end of the year."

Investors booked profits on miners, which have risen 13 percent over the last five days, buoyed by the prospect of a recovery in demand and soaring metal prices.

Sector fallers included Randgold Resources (RRS.L), down 4.2 percent after the gold miner posted higher output but lower-than-expected profit in the third quarter.

Fresnillo (FRES.L), Anglo American (AAL.L), Antofagasta (ANTO.L), Xstrata (XTA.L), Eurasian Natural Resources (ENRC.L) and BHP Billiton (BLT.L) dropped 0.3 to 3.7 percent.

Energy issues turned lower as the price of crude retreated back below $80 a barrel after the threat of tropical storm Ida to Gulf of Mexico oil operations passed, when the storm limped ashore in Alabama.