The FTSE 100 got off to a strong start this morning, adding close to half a percent to 8,679.4 in early trading.
Real estate and housebuilding companies are topping the risers, including Segro, Persimmon and Barratt Redrow.
Shell's shares are also up on the back of a short strategy announcement ahead of its capital markets day later. The oil major plans to boost shareholder payouts by slashing costs and cutting spending.
Kingfisher is down 12% after its results, even though the B&Q owner announced a new £300 million share buyback and reported market share growth in all key regions for the first time in over six years.
Bellway has put out interim results as expected, with guidance for the full year maintained for 11% volume growth and a positive start to the second half.
And Drax Group has agreed the takeover of battery energy storage investor Harmony Energy Income Trust for just under £200 million.
The 88p offer price agreed by the boards of the two companies is 5% higher than a possible offer from Foresight Group at 84p last Monday.
