The FTSE 100 rallied in early trading after gross domestic product data confirmed Britain’s economy grew over the month of February.
Following a dip into technical recession late last year, the ONS confirmed on Friday that GDP grew 0.1% in February helped by strong production figures after January’s 0.3% rise.
In a thin day for company news, AstraZeneca emerged as an early riser after shareholders approved its chief executive’s £18.7 million pay packet last night, following a dividend hike earlier in the day.
Lloyds and Close Brothers also climbed, seemingly unfazed by an FCA warning on Friday morning that motor finance firms should be holding cash to cover a probe into the market.
BP also gained following reports United Arab Emirates' state-owned ADNOC had recently considered a takeover of the British oil giant.