The FTSE 100 opened higher following a mixed showing by US indices on Tuesday.
Abrdn made headlines as the fund manager unveiled plans to cut 500 jobs in a bid to save up to £150 million a year on rising outflows.
Things were more positive over at easyJet though, which climbed early on after announcing first-quarter losses had narrowed despite disruption in the Middle East.
Wetherspoons also unveiled solid results, with like-for-like sales climbing 11.1% over the Christmas period.
Another early riser was International Distributions Services, as news broke that Ofcom could allow Royal Mail to reduce its letter delivery days from six a week in a modernisation push.
And finally, in small caps, Bradda Head Lithium jumped after saying objectives from drilling in Arizona’s San Domingo district had been met and surpassed.