The FTSE 100 Index hit a fresh five-month high as markets across Europe raced ahead thanks to a bounce back in oil prices and cheer over the eurozone economy.
London’s top flight rose above 6400 for the first time since early December at one point, before easing back to stand 27.3 points higher at 6380.8.
Oil prices regained their poise after hefty falls the previous session, with benchmark Brent crude up 1% to more than 43 US dollars (£30) a barrel.
The cost of crude fell sharply on Monday after a key meeting of oil producers in Qatar ended in stalemate.
Indices across Europe were rallying strongly after a better-than-expected economic sentiment report for Germany and the wider eurozone, with the Dax in Frankfurt up 2.3% and France’s Cac 40 1% ahead.
In London, silver miner Fresnillo was the biggest riser, up 3% or 29.5p to 1041.5p, while BP was another strong gainer with a 1% or 4.3p hike to 360.1p.
But the firmer oil prices failed to boost rival Royal Dutch Shell, which shed 6.3p to 1798.8p.
Primark owner Associated British Foods was enjoying strong gains after posting a 4% rise in half-year pre-tax profits to £466 million despite a 3% drop in earnings at its fashion chain.
The company said like-for-like sales at Primark were broadly flat year on year, with warm weather across Europe hitting its performance.
Shares in AB Foods rose 2% or 60.5p to 3407.5p.
Elsewhere, Saga was 3.2p higher at 201.1p after it posted a 55% surge in annual pre-tax profits to £176.2 million, although the previous year’s results were hit by £50 million in costs from its 2014 stock market flotation and other debt and borrowing costs.
On an underlying basis, group earnings increased 5% to £238.8 million, boosted by an impressive performance from its cruise ship and holidays arm.
FTSE 250-listed aerospace and defence components maker Meggitt was also on the front foot, up 6% or 22.6p to 411.8p, after it said trading in its quarter to the end of March was in line with its expectations, with group revenue up 1%.
Retirement home builder McCarthy & Stone saw shares rise 2.3p to 259p in the second tier after revenues jumped by a third as it sold more properties at a higher price.
The Bournemouth-based firm said revenues stepped up 33% to £250.2 million in the six months to February 29, driven in part by a 19% jump in legal completions to 923 units.
