The FTSE 100 climbed in early trading, adding to strong gains seen late last week which took the index close to twelve-month highs.
In focus was B&Q owner Kingfisher, which dipped in early trading after reporting profits fell by a fifth to £475 million for the year on the back of stagnant retail spending.
Water firm Pennon also fell as the market opened, having said plans to address sewage pollution were facing delays due to heavy rainfall towards the end of last year.
Elsewhere, Wise announced the appointment of Delivery Hero (ETR:DHER, OTCQX:DLVHF)’s Emmanuel Thomassin as its chief financial officer.
And finally, Chinese firm EVE Energy is reportedly in talks to invest over £1 billion to build a new electric vehicle factory near Coventry.