London's FTSE 100 open strongly helped by decent UK retail sales numbers and a good showing from the miners.
The blue-chip index was up 29 at 7,285 in early trades.
Retail sales rose by 0.8% month-on-month in October, with 4.2% jump in non-food sales more than offsetting a 6.4% fall in fuel. In a separate announcement, the ONS also reported a further improvement in the UK's public finances and said that more staff are heading back to the office.
B&Q and Screwfix owner Kingfisher was the big faller as its third-quarter update showed a 2.4% fall in like-for-like sales against a tough comparative period, with investors unimpressed by the 15% growth on a two-year basis. Full year profit guidance was towards the higher end of the previously given range.
Alibaba shares slumped by more than 10% in Hong Kong. The tech giant forecast its annual revenue would grow at the slowest pace since its stock market debut in 2014.
Shares in ReNeuron Group rose 13% after independent data validated the commercial potential of its pluripotent stem cell technology. Researchers at University College London generated results revealing the product can be produced at mass scale as a therapeutic for nerve damage.
Open Orphan meanwhile said its joint-venture company developing a potentially life-saving drug to combat mosquito-borne diseases has enjoyed some early clinical success. A phase I assessment showed the vaccine was well tolerated with no serious adverse events and generated a strong immune response in participants.
Seraphim Space Investment Trust reported 26% growth in net assets as it unveiled its maiden set of quarterly results since floating in July. Self-styled as the world's first listed fund focused on ‘spacetech’, the investment trust amassed a portfolio of 17 investments with a value of £99mln by the end of September, with net assets valued at £221mln.