Weaker than expected US GDP figures and a downgrade for Spain failed to stop world markets finishing the week on a high today.
The FTSE 100 Index was up 28.4 points at 5,777.1, meaning it has recouped all of the losses it suffered on Monday when political uncertainty in Europe triggered a rout.
More strong results, this time from Samsung and Amazon, helped buoy traders’ spirits.
Banks shrugged off the downgrade to Spain and were among the biggest risers on the FTSE 100 Index.
Barclays was up 5%, or 10.1p at 223.1p despite a stormy annual meeting with shareholders upset about high levels of pay.
Royal Bank of Scotland rose 0.8p at 24.4p, but Lloyds Banking Group was slightly lower, down 0.3p at 31.2p.
Outside the top flight, shares in UK Coal were up 10% after it hailed its recovery plan as it reported pre-tax profits of £58million for 2011, compared to £124.6million losses the previous year. Shares rose 1.4p at 14.6p.
The biggest Footsie risers included Man Group up 13.3p at 107p, CRH up 48p at £12.68 and Icap ahead 13.9p at 382.9p.
The biggest Footsie fallers were Polymetal International down 21p at 894p, BT off 3.2p at 212.9p, Shire down 27p at £20.13 and Unilever off 26p at £21.09.
Steven McKay, of investment manager and financial planning specialist Brewin Dolphin in Aberdeen, noted that the day’s risers included Aberdeen Asset Management, which added 1.7% to 274p, Cairn Energy, which gained 1.8% to 343.95p, and Wood Group, which closed 2.8% higher at 787.75p.
Fallers meanwhile included Premier Oil, also 0.9% lower at 379.2p.