Oil prices were at the fore as crude edged up another 1.4% to 50.92 US dollars a barrel yesterday, extending gains seen on Wednesday after Iraq and Algeria signalled support to extend Opec production cuts.
This helped miners dominate the FTSE 100 risers board, with advances in the sector led by Fresnillo with a 5% or 72p gain to 1503p.
Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell lifted 1% or 26.5p to 2195p, but BP failed to benefit, down 4.6p to 456p.
Energy firms also remained in the red as they continue to suffer after the Conservative Party’s price cap pledge, with British Gas owner Centrica off 5% or 11p to 192.2p.