BAE Systems has jumped more than 3% after the company confirmed it was considering the sale of part of its US components business.
Reports over the weekend suggested the businesses on the block could be worth around £1.3bn. Today the company said:
BAE Systems confirms that it has engaged Wells Fargo and JP Morgan to advise on strategic options with regard to the Platform Solutions business, including a possible sale. There can be no certainty any transaction...will occur.
Overall an opening rise on Wall Street - the Dow Jones Industrial Average is up nearly 100 points in early trading - has helped keep the UK market in positive territory. The FTSE 100 is now up 66.28 points at 5567.92, heading for a new four month and a half month high. China's better than expected industrial production figures and the weekend's agreement over the Basel III capital requirement rules for banks are both boosting sentiment.
