The steady week for the London market has continued as stronger mining and oil stocks keep the FTSE 100 index in positive territory.
September's US inflation figures and Federal Reserve minutes showing that policymakers are ready to taper vast economic support before the end of the year failed to unsettle Wall Street overnight. There's no let up in the current inflation pressures, however, with Brent crude oil and natural gas prices both creeping up.
In corporate news, Dunelm said recent sales growth had been encouraging as it stuck by the City's recent increase to profit forecasts, but shares in defence firm Qinetiq slumped 9% after US sales were hit by the transition to the Biden presidency and the end of counter-insurgency missions in Afghanistan.
