Markets Mixed as Geopolitical Risk Returns Like Ghost of Christmas Just Finished

Mining Stocks and Oil help London rise in morning trade on first day back after long Christmas break, as metals and mining stocks look to hopeful signs of economic stabilization measures in China, and oil price rises as Libyan Civil War damages oil terminal and threatens the country’s production potential. But a snap election announced in Greece threatens new uncertainty in the Eurozone and the possibility of a renegotiation of the country’s bail-out terms if an anti-austerity party wins at the polls. Meanwhile in the U.K. the collapse of a parcel delivery company, City Link, owned by private equity firm Better Capital, gives a boost to recently privatized Royal Mail.