The FTSE 100 regained most of the ground lost in early trading to sit 15 points higher to 6,965 ahead of the US open.
Bonds markets settled down a little after the volatility earlier in the week, easing concerns of another financial melt-down.
German and French bourses both rose this morning while US stocks are also expected to rally when Wall Street opens.
Back in the UK, 3i group (LON:III) led the way higher after the company said it had completed its restructuring and upped its total return for shareholders to 20% from 16%. Shares were 3.5% higher to 529p today on the news.
Paper maker Mondi (LON:MNDI) received upgrades from blue chip brokers Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank after yesterday’s impressive first quarter results. Shares climbed 2% to 1,444p.
Speaking of brokers, scientific tool maker Oxford Instruments (LON:OXIG) had its rating reduced to ‘neutral’ from ‘buy’ by Swiss bank UBS. Shares in the FTSE 250 company eased 2.7% to 1,041p.
Back on the FTSE 100, travel company, and soon to be former owner of Thomson, TUI AG (LON:TUI) slipped a further 2% today to 1,183p as it was one of a number of companies to trade ex-dividend.
The company announced yesterday it is to scrap the Thomson brand while also hiving off First Choice and LateRooms.
Away from the FTSE 100, ground engineering company Keller Group (LON:KLR) eased more than 3.5% to 993p after it revealed a slow start to the year in both revenues and profits.
Meanwhile, TalkTalk (LON:TALK) topped up its revenue targets after the broadband, fixed-line and mobile provider reported its strongest quarterly sales growth. Shares climbed 4% to 377p.
In small caps, Higher graphite grades at StratMin Resources’ (LON:STGR) Loharano mine will lift the project’s profitability, managing director Manoli Yannaghas said. Shares jumped 7.5% today to 5p.
Elsewhere, Regency Mines (LON:RGM) is set for work to kick off again at the Jebel Abyad phospate block in Sudan as it advances towards drill testing. Shares rocketed 24% to 0.08p.
Instem (LON:INS), which supplies software used by firms carrying out early stage clinical trials, announced it has landed three orders worth around £1.4mln. Shares climbed more than 10% to 212p.
Conversely, there was not such good news for Kodal Minerals (LON:KOD). It led the fallers after it raised £400,000 from a 222mln share issue. Shares dropped 20% to 0.18p.
Meanwhile, Rose Petroleum (LON:ROSE) also struggled after it said it is considering a share placing to raise between £3mln and £5mln to pay for drilling and exploration work. Shares fell 16% to 0.5p.