LONDON, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- British stocks decreased on Tuesday, with the benchmark FTSE 100 Index down by 39.67 points or 0.52 percent at 7,648.10 points.

Anglo American, the international mining group, soared 2.94 percent, the top gainer of the blue chips. Centrica and International Consolidated Airlines Group increased by 2.84 percent and 2.73 percent, respectively.

The health and medical service supplier Rentokil Initial was the worst performer in the blue chips, with its shares losing 3.30 percent. Admiral Group, a motor insurance company, dropped 2.67 percent. Standard Life Aberdeen, the British asset management firm, dropped 2.57 percent.