FTSE100 was heading north at mid-session with miners doing well and as the outlook was looking brighter, apparently, for the UK consumer.
The UK benchmark was up 16 points at 6,873 at the time of writing, showing signs it may just creep quietly, almost unnoticed, up on that all time high figure of 6,930. Miner Anglo American (LON:AAL) was the biggest gainer - adding 2.29% to 1,249p.
Traders were heading back towards equities (risk) as economic figures from Germany showed investor confidence had improved, while in the UK, the chatter was about the rock-bottom inflation rate.
The UK Consumer Prices Index inflation fell to 0.3% last month - its lowest level since records began, prompting debate about what BoE governor Mark Carney might do on monetary policy next.
David Madden, at IG Index, noted the central bank boss said he would cut interest rates from their historic low if necessary, and now may be forced to..
"Mr Carney won’t be in any rush to loosen the monetary policy, but the falling cost of living is an artificial wage boost for the British consumer."
Some commentators said that now inflation was likely to fall further, while wages grew, consumers should see an improvement in their purchasing power over 2015.
Meanwhile, crisis talks to solve the Greek debt problem continue as pressre mounts to find a deal, but as yet no sign of anyone budging.
On the losing front today was postal group Royal Mail Group (LON:RMG) as Morgan Stanley cut its target price on the shares by 10p to 340p.
The heavyweight broker also put an 'underweight' rating on the firm, saying it sees two headwinds in 2016 - letter volumes could decline further on the back of weak macro growth this year, and parcels growth still a challenge due to fierce competition.
"We remain concerned about the company’s ability to generate parcels revenue growth to offset the decline in letter mail," it noted.
Oil serices firm Wood Group (LON:WG.)added 9.05% to 687p as it said results were in line with expectations and an improvement on 2013, thanks largely to strong growth is Wood Group PSN Production Services.
Total revenue of US$7,616.4mln was up 7.8% on 2013 and total underlying earnings (EBITA) of US$549.6m were up 3.1% on 2013.
On the losing side, hotels group InterContinental Hotels (LON:IHG) disappointed with its full-year results, as performance of its Russian and Chinese hotels underwhelmed and shares fell 4.83% to 2,463p.
In the junior sector, Dragon Oil (LON:DGO) shares added almost 5% to go to 598.5p as it unveiled a 4% increase in revenue, despite falling oil prices in the second half.
The company reported revenues of US$1.09bn for the 12 months to December 31, compared to US$1.04bn in the prior year.
Operating profit reduced 16% to US$578mln, however a US$160mln tax credit meant net profit actually grew 27% to US$650mln.
In mining, Aureus Mining (LON:AUE) nudged 0.66% higher to 19.125p as it successfully raised the US$15.3mln it was looking for to fund a new feeder pit at its New Liberty gold mine in Liberia.
The IFC, part of the World Bank, had already agreed to put in US$8mln at 18p per share.
Other investors have now bought the remaining US$7.3mln worth of shares on offer through a placing
Aureus said the proceeds should allow for “increased flexibility” and generate stronger cash flows, particularly in the early years of the project's production phase.