Oil and Gas services firm Weir rose by nearly 5% amid speculation it could be the subject of a break-up bid from a US private equity firm.
The stock, which has hit turbulence in recent months due to the fall in oil prices, was 85.5p higher at 1824.5p.
Other big risers included Taylor Wimpey after the company this week joined rival firms in reporting a strong start to the important spring selling season.
The company’s share rose 2.3p to 151.3p, while Persimmon added a penny to 1765p.
Thomas Cook shares jumped by more than 14% today after the holiday operator unveiled a partnership with the Chinese owner of Club Med.
Fosun has bought a 5% stake in Thomas Cook and will look to increase this to 10% as part of a deal that will give the UK firm access to the fast-growing Chinese tourism market.
Thomas Cook shares were up by 17.5p to 138.15p in the FTSE 250 Index.
In London’s top flight, traders remained on the sidelines ahead of the release of the closely-watched US unemployment figures.
The FTSE 100 Index, which rallied by more than 40 points in the previous session, was 7.1 points lower at 6953.1.
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