The FTSE 100 was up 51.83 points to 7,015.16, having started the week at 7,130, while the domestic-focused FTSE 250 index was ahead 0.7%, or 155.72 points to 22,225.03.
Second-tier risers included Sabre Insurance, up 6p to 262.5p after it reported growth in its policy count as motorists returned to the roads in April.
Housebuilder Crest Nicholson was 1.2p higher at 422.4p after selling its 50% stake in Longcross Studio, where blockbusters including Skyfall and Fast & Furious 6 have been shot. Crest expects the disposal to Aviva Investors to deliver a £10 million boost to profits.
Gulf Marine Services, whose fleet of self-propelled lift boats are used in offshore oil, gas and renewable energy, fell 0.19p to 7.22p after reporting wider losses of $124.3 million for last year.
The Abu Dhabi-based company is more upbeat about this year’s prospects after average fleet utilisation increased to 81% and its recently deployed cantilever system on GMS Evolution secured a long-term contract.
