The London market moves higher as diplomatic talks seek to calm geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine. The FTSE 100 rises 38 points to 6,727 in early trading.

Mining giant Rio Tinto (RIO) edges 9p higher to £34.15 as it moves closer to a final decision on the future of its majority stake in a long-dormant copper mine in Papua New Guinea. Coal operations are the group's current biggest headache.

Precious metal miners, however, such as and Centamin (CEY) and Randgold Resources (RRS), remain under pressure as gold prices fall, down 3.5% to 64.15p, and flat at £50.65 respectively.

Housebuilder Bovis (BVS) adds 3.8% to 832p as half year profits surge 75% and the group hikes the payout 200%.

UK microchip designs specialists are in demand today as excitement builds towards the launch of Apple's (AAPL:NDQ) latest iPhone next month. ARM (ARM) rallies 2% to 926p, while Imagination Technologies (IMG) is a little more than 3% higher at 191.6p.

Euro weakness caps share price progress of insurance claims software company Innovation (TIG) despite an otherwise robust trading update.But investors are a little concerned by management's veiled warning that 'any further currency changes will feed through to full year results.'

A solid half-yearly report from plastic piping specialist Polypipe (PLP) sees shares in the Doncaster-headquartered business jump 5.1% to 248p. The group reports a 66% rise in pre-tax profit to £16.4 million.

Shipping services specialist Clarkson (CKN) stays flat at £21.47 despite a 46% increase in half year underlying profit to £15.8 million.

Non-life insurer Amlin (AML) slips 0.8% to 443.6p as currency headwinds and rising catastrophe losses sees interim pre-tax profits fall 7.9%. The rest of the year is expected to remain tough.

Transplant technology specialist Lifeline Scientific (LSI:AIM) improves 9.6% to 165p as revenues rise 11% to $15.1 million in the first half. Tghis was helped by a 32% hike in higher margin consumables.

Heart monitor maker LiDCO (LID:AIM) dives 20.2% to 13.7p as it misses revenue expectations for the six months to August. Falling UK sales as customers rent rather than buy are blamed. Interims are due in next month.

Find out how to deal online from £1.50 in a SIPP, ISA or Dealing account. AJBell logo

Issue Date: 18 Aug 2014