London's FTSE 100 looked to break a four-day losing streak on Monday as the blue-chip index opened 62 points higher at 8,135.
Bitcoin surged past US$81,000 for the first time ever meanwhile, as Donald Trump’s election win continued to fuel a rally after his previous pledges to support cryptocurrencies.
Among companies, NatWest gained early on after announcing it had bought back a further £1 billion worth of shares from the Treasury, taking the government’s stake to 12.03%.
Direct Line dipped in the meantime on news it had grown gross written premiums by 11.8% over the nine months to September, but that challenges remained in its motor wing.
And finally, Swiss stock exchange operator SIX has agreed to buy Aquis in a deal valuing the London-based exchange at £225 million.
