The FTSE 100 Index reversed early losses as positive retail updates helped to make up for downbeat sessions in the US and Asia.
The Footsie rose 21 points to 6157.6 as Kingfisher PLC (LON:KGF) drove the index higher, while small-cap indices were also on the up.
Kingfisher increased more than 2% or just under 8p. Sales growth met expectations despite B&Q closures. Boosted by Screwfix, sales reached £2.7bn for the first quarter.
Topps Tiles Plc (LON:TPT) rose 5.5p, or 4.2%, to 136.75p after reporting higher first-half revenue and profits and voicing confidence about the outlook.
Halfords PLC (LON:HFD) was slightly up after saying it had bought online premium bike and accessory retailers Tredz Limited and Wheelies Direct Limited.
But Card Factory PLC (LON:CARD) led the fallers after saying an overall reduction in footfall offset continuing growth in average spend, with first quarter like-for-like sales growth softer than levels recently achieved.
Shares dropped 16.9p, or 4.4%, to 364.1p.
Commodity currencies traded in red across the board early Tuesday as risk aversion and dropping commodity prices continued to weigh on high yielding currencies.
The biggest loser was Coca-Cola HBC AG (LON:LON: CCH) at 1317p, down 3.5% or 48p, continuing a decline after weak results earlier this month.
Among small-caps, oil & gas groups Egdon Resources (LON:EDR) and IGAS Energy (LON:IGAS) inflated by around a quarter of their value apiece as North Yorkshire planners approved a fracking bid.
Redx Pharma Plc (LON:REDX) was nearly 12% healthier at 37.5p as the drug discovery and development company reached pre-clinical proof of concept stage with a potential treatment for leukaemia and other blood cancers.
New Zealand and Australia-focused Mosman Oil & Gas (LON:MSMN) made a CAD$400,000 cash investment in GEM International Resource Inc. (TSX:GEM). Shares rose 11.1% to 0.75p.
But Guscio PLC (LON:GUSC), a technology company focused on programmes in physical literacy and sporting assessment, lost half its value after making its debut on AIM.
Preview at 6.57am
UK blue-chips are set to continues yesterday's gentle decline, after US and Asian markets retreated overnight.
The FTSE 100 is expected to open some 13 points lower at 6,123, according to spread betting quotes.
US markets last night closed modestly lower, with the declining oil price a dampener on sentiment.
The Dow Jones average retreated eight points to 17,493, the S&P 500 shed four points at 2,048 and the Nasdaq Composite also gave up four points, at 2,048.
With around an hour to go before they close, Asian markets were sharply lower, with the Nikkei 225 in Japan down 145 points at 16,600 and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong 60 points weaker at 19,750.
Japanese stocks were hit by weak trade data that showed both Japanese imports and exports sharply lower in April.
Looking ahead to today's agenda, the Bank of England inflation report hearings will be in focus, where MPs will be grilling the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street's policy makers on their view of the outlook for the economy.
Gold – US$1,245.00 an ounce, down $6.50 (0.51%)
Oil – WTI is US$47.83 a barrel, down 24 cents (0.52%). Brent crude is US$48.09 a barrel, down 26 cents (-0.54%)
Market rumour - Randy Lerner, the American sports tycoon who is selling Aston Villa to one of China’s richest men, is in line for a pay-out worth tens of millions should the club bounce back to the Premier League.
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