The FTSE 100 is up 4.03 points at 7,527.03 as US president Donald Trump prepares to deliver an address to Congress later which will outline key spending priorities.
Among the trailed proposals is a $70bn increase in military expenditure.
News of Trump's defence spending splurge lifts BAE Systems (BA.) 2% to 630.5p.
Another company with defence exposure, Babcock International (BAB), gains 3.1% to 912p as it looks set to deliver the stronger second half it had been promising ahead of its financial year end in March.
Price comparison site Moneysupermarket.com (MONY) falls 12.2% to 308.1p despite in line full year results as the company warns group revenue is currently behind 2016 levels in the first two months of the year. The market apparently unconvinced by the board's confidence it can still deliver on expectations.
Wealth manager St James's Place (STJ) falls 3.7% to £10.48 as a pretty solid set of full year numbers is overshadowed by the departure of long-serving chief executive David Bellamy. After 11 years in place Bellamy is stepping down to be replaced by finance director Andrew Croft
Sub-prime lender Provident Financial (PFG) advances 1.7% to £29.71 as underlying pre-tax profit comes in at £334.1m for 2016, up 14% year-on-year. The dividend is bumped from 120.1p to 134.6p.
Property investor British Land (BLND) gains 1.6% to as confirms press speculation that it is in advanced talks over the sale of its 50% stake in The Leadenhall Building in London, also known as the 'Cheesegrater'.
As we warned it would last week, support services group Interserve (IRV) has served up more bad news. The shares fall 6.7% to 221p as the company suspends its full year dividend.
Transportation business Go-Ahead (GOG) is down 15.8% to £19.25 as, alongside first half numbers, it warns on full year profits. The company blames 'challenges' in its Govia Thameslink Railway franchise and a slowdown in passenger numbers in its regional bus service.
Challenger bank Virgin Money (VM.) is up 2.4% to 342.9p after posting a 33% advance in underlying pre-tax profit for 2016 to £213.3m and a 15% increase in its customer base.
