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UK stocks closed higher on Wednesday as the latest data pointed to a resilient domestic economy and after Donald Trump said the US and China were in the 'final throes' of putting together a trade deal, news that helped send the S&P 500 to a new record high.
At 16.35, London's benchmark FTSE 100 index closed 26.64 points or 0.36% higher at 7,429.78.
LARGE AND MID CAP RISERS AND FALLERS
British American Tobacco puffed 2.8% higher to £30.69 as it forecast annual adjusted profit at the upper end of long-term guidance range.
The tobacco giant also posted lower sales in the US amid a regulatory crackdown on sales of vaping products.
Mining giant Rio Tinto cheapened 16p to £42.41 after it approved a $749m investment in its iron ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia state.
Drinks maker Britvic softened 3p to 982p after reporting weaker annual profits, pinned on challenging market backdrops in Ireland and France, as the market focused on a significant improvement in free cash flow.
Residential landlord Grainger firmed 2.1% to 281.6p on the back of a 30% rise in annual profit, driven by a surge in rental income.
Office space provider Workspace added 4p to trade at £10.95 as it exchanged contracts to sell Quality Court, off Chancery Lane in Holborn, London for £15.8m.
IT infrastructure and services provider Softcat ended the session flat at £11.34, despite announcing that it had grown its revenue and operating profit in the first quarter of its financial year.
SMALL CAP RISERS AND FALLERS
Travel company On the Beach gained 1.2% to 439p, even as it reported a 26% fall in annual profit due to costs associated with the collapse of rival Thomas Cook.
The company also posted a hefty rise in revenue and reiterated that the demise of its larger rival presented an opportunity to snatch market share.
Cross border financial services provider STM sank 34.2% to 28.5p after it downgraded its annual profit guidance, due to re-branding delays at recent acquisition Carey and weaker new business applications in the UK pension market.
Specialist engineering group Pressure Technologies slumped 7.25% to 96p after a jury delivered a guilty verdict in a trial related to a fatal accident that occurred in 2015 at subsidiary Chesterfield Special Cylinders.
Cyber security company Shearwater gained 1.65% to 247p, having reported a narrower first-half loss as it boosted sales, both from acquisitions and its existing operations.
Educational virtual reality content provider VR Education was unchanged at 8p, even as it announced that its latest showcase experience, 'Shuttle Commander', would launch on Sony PlayStation on 3 December.