The FTSE 100 enjoys strong gains on Friday morning despite the threat of a trade war between the US and several of its trading partners after a breakthrough overnight on the political deadlock in Italy. Early on the index is up 0.57% at 7,722.16.
Funeral provider Dignity (DTY) slumps 14.2% to £10.43 as the Competition & Markets Authority launches a review into the £2bn funerals market, with the Treasury also issuing a call for evidence to ensure people are not getting a bad deal from pre-paid funeral plans.
High street bank Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) gains 1.1% to 278.1p as ratings agency Standard & Poors assigns a positive outlook to the rating of its debt, which could reduce borrowing costs.
Elsewhere Rio Tinto (RIO) says it has completed the sale of its 75% interest in the Winchester South coal development in Australia's Queensland state to Whitehaven Coal for $200m.
The sale price includes $150m in cash and an unconditional cash payment of $50m due in 12 months. Shares in the miner are up 1.4% to £42.79.
Property portal owner ZPG (ZPG) says it has completed the sale of Hometrack Australia to REA Group for A$130m (£74m) in cash.
Embattled retailer Dixons Carphone (DC.) gains 2.7% to 190p as Liberum Capital upgrades its recommendation from ‘hold’ to ‘buy’ with a 220p price target. Earlier this week shares in the company were heavily sold off on a profit warning.
Housebuilder Abbey (ABBY:AIM) dips 1.1% to £13.50 as it reports operating profit for the year to 30 April will fall year-on-year despite a higher volume of houses being built.
Abbey completed 606 house sales - UK 524, Ireland 75, Czechia 7 - compared to 586 house sales the previous year but has been hit by lower margins.
