London’s FTSE 100 was up 0.2% at 6,746.45 in afternoon trade on Tuesday.
As is often the case during periods of lighter news flow in the run-up to a bank holiday weekend, there wasn’t a whole lot going on.
Banks were among the top gainers, with Barclays and HSBC both higher.
Elsewhere, British Airways and Iberia owner IAG flew higher.
Tobacco company Imperial Brands was on the back even after it backed its full-year guidance and hailed a good start to the year, with market share growth in its five priority markets.
The firm said its business is performing well and it remains on track to deliver full-year results in line with the guidance it gave at the annual results in November, with low-mid single digit organic adjusted operating profit growth at constant currency.
First-half net revenue is expected to grow by at least 1% on an organic, constant currency basis, driven by continued strong pricing in tobacco, as well as some benefit from growth in NGP (next generation product) revenues against a weak comparator period.
FTSE 100 – Risers
Barclays (BARC) 185.92p 3.07%
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 198.00p 3.02%
Legal & General Group (LGEN) 283.00p 2.61%
Melrose Industries (MRO) 168.70p 2.46%
HSBC Holdings (HSBA) 426.55p 2.02%
WPP (WPP) 947.60p 1.85%
Admiral Group (ADM) 3,036.00p 1.85%
Aviva (AV.) 408.60p 1.82%
Antofagasta (ANTO) 1,682.50p 1.82%
British Land Company (BLND) 520.80p 1.80%
FTSE 100 – Fallers
Fresnillo (FRES) 867.40p -2.93%
Severn Trent (SVT) 2,283.00p -2.52%
SSE (SSE) 1,425.50p -2.09%
British American Tobacco (BATS) 2,768.50p -2.05%
DCC (CDI) (DCC) 6,276.00p -1.94%
National Grid (NG.) 854.00p -1.84%
AstraZeneca (AZN) 7,277.00p -1.58%
Imperial Brands (IMB) 1,488.50p -1.52%
United Utilities Group (UU.) 913.00p -1.49%
Polymetal International (POLY) 1,394.00p -1.41%
