Miners rise after talks of China stimulus
AB Foods, Premier Foods climb after results
Crest Nicholson up on encouraging outlook
FTSE 100, FTSE 250 off 0.1

Jan 23 Reuters The UK39;s bluechip share index stalled on Tuesday after a threeday bounce, as investors assessed earnings reports and awaited economic data that could offer clarity on the Bank of England39;s BoE monetary easing plans.

The FTSE 100 index of top UK companies dipped 0.1 with losses in healthcare and consumer companies outpacing gains in miners.

Miners such as Rio Tinto, Glencore and Anglo American rose between 1.7 and 2.8 as most metal prices climbed on report that Chinese authorities were considering mobilising about 2 trillion yuan 278.9 billion to stabilise the slumping stock market.

Investors parsed Christmas trading updates from retailers to see how consumers are faring.

Shares of Premier Foods were flat after the food producer reported a 14.4 jump in thirdquarter sales, helped by strong festive demand for its products. The stock touched a morethan12year high at market open.

Associated British Foods rose 1.5 after the retailer said it felt more confident of its Primark clothing business delivering an improved adjusted operating margin in the 202324 financial year. The unit posted slowing underlying sales growth in the Christmas quarter.

The volume numbers were a little bit less than expectations but they39;re catching up in terms of profitability from lower cost of goods, Ben Ritchie, head…