London's FTSE 100 enjoyed a bright start after losing further ground for the week on Wednesday.
Among early risers was JD Sports, which looked to calm investors’ nerves with a second-quarter report showing 8.3% organic sales growth after a weak start to the year.
Things were less positive at FTSE 250 recruitment firm Hays though, which reported a 12% drop in net fees over the year to June on the back of a slowdown in hiring.
Elsewhere on the FTSE 250, defence firm Serco ticked up early on after unveiling a US$320 million contract with the US Army for work on a Space Force base in Greenland.
And finally, Gatwick Airport said profit had jumped over the first half of the year as it continues to reap the rewards of a rebound in travel demand.