Shares in travel groups were among the top gainers in the FTSE 100, thanks to a further fall in the oil price.
Thomas Cook was the blue-chip index's highest riser, up 6.6% to 245p, while British Airways lifted 6.1% to 277.75p.
TUI was up 5.3% to 227.75p, while cruise group Carnival increased 4.2% to £19.71.
Sainsbury's kept on climbing, up 4.2% to 363.25p, as rumours about a buyout persisted for a fourth day.
Another supposed bid target, RSA Insurance, was also up, gaining 2.8% to 161.1p.
Housebuilders continued to rise on the back of the government's £1bn package to help first-time buyers.
Building materials group Wolseley was the FTSE 100's second biggest percentage climber for the same reason, up 6.6% to 490.75p.
Overall the FTSE 100 lost some of its early gains, and was up just 8.5 points at 5611.3 compared with the day's high of 5639.9.
