The FTSE 100 got off to a strong start as the week draws to a close, recovering Thursday's losses.
An hour into the session, the blue chip index was up 39 points, or about 0.4%, at 8,570.
BP PLC (LSE:BP.) is leading the gainers. Apart from a firmer oil price on the back of yesterday's US-UK trade deal, a report in the Financial Times says a number of rivals, including US firms, are running the numbers on a takeover of the struggling oil major.
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (LSE:IAG) shares are higher after the British Airways owner kept its full-year guidance steady after a strong Q1, brushing off global economic and geopolitical worries.
Rightmove PLC (LSE:RMV) has also kicked off 2025 strong and is sticking to its 8–10% revenue growth target.
The property portal says Average Revenue per Advertiser (ARPA) is climbing, membership is up, and new AI-driven tools are live.
Urban Logistics REIT PLC (AIM:SHED, OTC:PCILF) jumped 3.7% this morning on news it's set to be acquired by LondonMetric Property PLC (LSE:LMP) in a cash and shares deal valued at £698.9 million.
