The FTSE 100 got off to a strong start on Friday after China said it was open to trade talks with the US and confirming the White House had already approached Beijing over talks.
An hour into trade, the blue chip index was up 68 points, or just under 0.8% at 8,565.
Shell PLC (LSE:SHEL, NYSE:SHEL) led the gainers with a 3% rise after announcing a $3.5 billion (£2.6 billion) share buyback as first-quarter profits came in stronger than expected. However, cash flow ebbed amid falling oil prices.
Miners Antofagasta PLC (LSE:ANTO) and Glencore PLC (LSE:GLEN) are also at the top of the leaderboard this morning, with both gaining more than 2%.
NatWest Group PLC (LSE:NWG) and Standard Chartered PLC (LSE:STAN) are also doing well on the back of their first-quarter earnings reports.
Pearson PLC (LSE:PSON)'s shares are down close to 3% despite reassurances that it's on track to meet FY25 guidance.
Severn Trent PLC (LSE:SVT) and United Utilities Group PLC (LSE:UU.) join Pearson as the Footsie's biggest losers this morning.
