The week starts with renewed force, after Friday's gloomy closing following weaker than expected US economic data.
International Power pushed the FT-SE 100 index higher, on press reports that the power station manager is near an agreement with GDF Suez SA that would have France's utility take control of the British company.
The shares soared 3.8%., or 14.1p, to 380p by 9:15a.m.
The company, which has stakes in 45 power stations around the world, said on July 19 that it was in "preliminary discussions" with GDF Suez "regarding a possible combination" of their assets.
GDF Suez rose 1.6% to 26.6 euros in Paris.
The FT-SE 100 added 1.5%, or 80 points, to 5,412.
