The FTSE 100 was in recovery mode on Monday morning after tensions in the Middle East appeared to have momentarily simmered down.
Housebuilders aided gains early on after Rightmove reported property prices were up 1.1% to over £372,000 this month, or by 1.7% on a year ago in the biggest annual jump in 12 months.
Ocado was also rising on weekend reports that one of its top shareholders had pressured the board to explore a move from a London to a New York listing.
Elsewhere, Hipgnosis soared following news private equity firm Blackstone had joined a bidding war for the music royalties fund.
Finally, Royal Mail owner IDS climbed after shareholder Redwheel urged reform was needed to letter delivery obligations, which it said left the business undervalued and vulnerable to takeover.