Oct. 17 (Bloomberg) -- U.K. stocks including commodity producers such as BP Plc and BHP Billiton rose after crude oil and copper prices climbed. Airlines such as British Airways Plc dropped as higher oil prices threatened to erode earnings.

Man Group Plc gained after the hedge-fund manager said it's not in talks to buy Refco Inc.

The FTSE 100 Index advanced 3.5, or less than 0.1 percent, to 5278.5 at 9:18 a.m. in London. The FTSE All-Share Index also added less than 0.1 percent, to 2644.61. Ireland's ISEQ Overall Index rose 0.1 percent to 6648.14, led by Elan Corp., the country's biggest drugmaker.

BP, Europe's largest oil company, added 16.5 pence, or 2.7 percent, to 630 pence. Shell, the region's No. 2 oil company, gained 30 pence, or 1.7 percent, to 1,751 pence and BG Group Plc, the U.K.'s third-biggest oil company, added 14 pence, or 2.9 percent, to 498 pence.

BHP Billiton, the world's biggest mining company, added as much as 1.4 percent to 817 pence. Rio Tinto Plc, the No. 2 mining company, climbed 27 pence, or 1.3 percent, to 2,191 pence.

Oil rose the most in four days in New York on concern a hurricane may form in the Caribbean and head for the Gulf of Mexico, further disrupting production. Crude for November delivery added as much as $1.45 to $64.08 a barrel in after-hours electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Copper futures in Shanghai gained on optimism consumption in China, the biggest user of the metal, is increasing, and amid buying by speculators and traders who consider declines in the past two trading days to be excessive.

British Airways, EasyJet

British Airways, Europe's third-biggest carrier, fell 7 pence, or 2.3 percent, to 295.5 pence, with EasyJet Plc, the region's second-biggest low-cost carrier, dropped 3.25 pence, or 1.1 percent, to 282.25 pence. Energy costs account for around 30 percent of total costs for airlines, according to estimates from Credit Suisse First Boston.

Separately, British Airways may face strike action over its decision that three senior Transport & General Workers labor union members have ``a case to answer'' in connection with a two-day strike in August which grounded flights to and from Heathrow airport, the Independent said, citing the airline.

Man Group, the world's largest hedge fund company, rose 0.5 percent to 1,548 pence after saying it's not in talks to buy Refco, the futures broker facing insolvency because of a bad-debt scandal.

``Contrary to market speculation, Man Group confirms that it is not currently in discussions with Refco or its advisers regarding a Refco acquisition,'' Man said in a statement today.

Elan rose 55 cents, or 8.3 percent, to 7.17 euros. Elan and Biogen Idec Inc. said that a safety study found no new confirmed cases of the rare neurological disease that caused the multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri to be withdrawn on Feb. 28.

The following stocks rose or fell in the U.K. and Irish markets. Symbols are in parentheses after the company names.

Antisoma Plc (ASM LN), a U.K. developer of cancer treatments, jumped 4 pence, or 21 percent, to 23.5 pence, after the company said its experimental lung cancer treatment was more effective than chemotherapy alone in treating patients.

Easynet Group Plc (ESY LN), an Internet and broadband provider, jumped 23 percent to 118.5 pence after the company said it received an approach that could lead to a takeover offer. The statement followed a report in the Sunday Telegraph that said British Sky Broadcasting Plc, the satellite broadcaster controlled by Rupert Murdoch, will this week say it's buying Easynet for as much as 150 million pounds ($264 million) to compete with cable-TV providers.

BSkyB (BSY LN) was unchanged at 535.5 pence. Spokesmen for BSkyB and Easynet declined yesterday to comment on the report.

EMI Group Plc (EMI LN), the world's third-largest music company, rose 4.5 pence, or 2 percent, to 228.75 pence. It said first-half music sales increased 4.5 percent and it gained market share following the release of new albums by British bands Coldplay and Gorillaz.

EMI expects to report group pretax profit growth before amortization and exceptional items of 9 percent for the six months ended Sept. 30, and ``remains on track'' to report full-year results in line with expectations.

CRC Group Plc (CCG LN), which repairs mobile phones and other electronic equipment, slumped 76.5 pence, or 28 percent, to 199 pence. CRC expects to report profit and earnings per share ``substantially'' below analyst estimates after sales fell at its information-technology unit in the third quarter. CRC will look at ``restructuring the group's cost base,'' the company said.

Internet Business Group Plc (IBG LN), a U.K. Web site designer, gained 2.75 pence, or 23 percent, to 15 pence, on expectations full- year profit and sales will be higher due to performance of the company's online ad business.

The company expects year-end profit to rise at least 40 percent, sales to increase 10 percent and 2006 financial year figures to be ``significantly higher'' than analysts' expectations.

Marconi Corp. (MONI LN), a U.K. phone-equipment maker, rose 8.5 pence, or 2.5 percent, to 347.5 pence, after the Mail on Sunday reported Siemens AG, Europe's largest engineering company, may be preparing an offer.

A bid by Siemens would rival that of Ericsson AB, which last week offered 1.3 billion pounds for Marconi, said the newspaper. If successful, Siemens would gain revenue from Vodafone Plc's German unit, a Marconi customer, the paper said.

Sanderson Group Plc (SND LN), a U.K. provider of information- technology services and software, fell the most ever after the company said pretax profit will be ``slightly below'' expectations. The stock dropped 11 pence, or 15 percent, to 62.5 pence. Sanderson said spending in the six months ended Sept. 30 slowed toward the end of summer among existing customers, especially in manufacturing. Revenue and profit are still expected to ``match'' last year's levels, Sanderson said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Sophie Hares in London at shares@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: October 17, 2005 05:21 EDT