Events in China, the bounce-back of the Footsie, Sainsbury's (LON:SBRY) and Cineworld (LON:CINE) were among themes piquing web browsers' interest on Thursday.
There was disaster news coming through overnight as two blasts ripped through an industrial site at the Chinese port city of Tianjin, killing at least 44 people and injuring hundreds more.
The explosions have reportedly devastated vast areas of the port, which is sure to impact on Chinese exports at a time when the economy of the People's Republic is under close scrutiny.
It decided to guide its currency - the yuan - a shade lower again on Thursday - the third time in as many days in a bid to help struggling exporters.
But investors in London shrugged off the move to help FTSE100 higher again after recent falls.
Also in the news was High Street supermarket Sainsbury's (LON:SBRY) which has launched its new online TU clothing website after being one of the few retailers not to offer sales of garments on the web.
The site has been under trial since last year but now TU womenswear, menswear and childrenswear is now available for next day delivery or for click and collect.
"And....Action!" Cineworld shares added over 4% as a clutch of blockbuster releases sent sales and profits at the cinema chain higher in its latest half-year.
Record-breakers such as 'Fifty Shades of Grey', 'Jurassic World' and 'Fast and Furious 7' helped revenue rise to £329.1mln in the 26 weeks to July from £268.6mln a year earlier.
Pre-tax profit rocketed 237% to £46.8mln with underlying earnings 41% higher to £64.7mln.
In smaller caps, Greka Engineering (LON:GEL) was a standout, with shares adding over 133% to 1.34p after it won a construction contract with a Chinese state-owned coalbed methane company.
Greka will be responsible for power line construction and equipment installation to connect and power 56 wells.
Also gaining traction with investors was defence group Cohort (LON:CHRT), which gained 0.94% to stand at 377.5p as it landed an £11.2mln contract to supply the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) with hearing protection products after winning a competitive tender.
Cohort unit Marlborough Communications will deliver the kit, which will be used by ground troops.