Mining and energy stocks lifted UK’s FTSE 100 at the open on Thursday, with global miner Anglo American topping the index after reporting a jump in first-half copper production.
By 0708 GMT, the blue-chip FTSE 100 gained 0.2%, while the more domestically focussed FTSE 250 midcap index fell 0.1%.
Industrial metal miners gained 1.9% as prices of most base metals rose.
Anglo American added 3.2% after the global miner said its first-half copper production surged 42%.
Heavyweight energy stocks added 0.8% as crude prices edged higher.
A weakening pound continued to support gains on the exporter-heavy FTSE 100 a day after data showed domestic inflation easing more than anticipated.
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IG Group added 3.2% after the online trading platform raised its dividend and said it would buy back shares after it recorded total revenues of one billion pounds ($1.29 billion) for the first time in its history.