Centrica is in the spotlight on trader talk of stakebuilding by Berkshire Hathaway, the diversified group led by billionaire investment guru Warren Buffett.
The company's shares are 6.25p higher at 306.75p after suggestions that Buffett, noted for his canny investments, had alighted on the British Gas owner.
Elsewhere, leading shares are casting about for direction after an uncertain start on Wall Street. Disappointing statements from US companies including Texas Instruments and insurer UnitedHealth and a downgrade of Bank of America sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average lower, although it regained some ground after slightly better than expected housing figures. The Dow is down about 90 points, with the FTSE 100 34.1 points lower at 6018.9.
