Headline shares consolidated gains at midday buoyed by rises in banks and miners and by rising investor confidence over a possible global recovery. As lunch approaches the FTSE 100 is up 27.32 points trading at 5191. US markets were seen as opening higher this afternoon with stock futures showing gains on Wall Street.

LONDON MARKETS

Banks and miners led the market forward at midday with investor confidence optimistic over potential global recovery. Miners were also buoyed by higher commodity prices, with the FTSE 100 leaders table being dominated by them. Beleaguered BP (LON:BP.) once again saw heavy losses after announcements that US President Barack Obama will pressure BP to set up an escrow account to finance claims made by those affected.

Those shares seeing a rise included Fresnillo (LON:FRES), up 4.96% at 1059p, Kazakhyms, up 3.53% at 1174p, Smiths Group (LON:SMIN), up 3.37% at 1103p, Whitbread (LON:WTB), up 3.14% at 1445p, Eurasian, up 2.82% at 1057p and Vedenta, up 2.76% at 2275p.

On the reverse were BP, down 5.78% at 369.25p, Home Retail Group Plc (LON:HOME), down 1.33% at 230.6p, BG Group (LON:BG.), down 0.68% at 1090.5p and Man Group (LON:EMG), down 0.65% at 244.8p

European industrial production rose by 0.8% in the Euro Area in April 2010 compared with the previous month. In the wider EU27 region, production was up 0.5%. Compared with April 2009, industrial production increased by 9.5% in the euro area and by 7.8% in the EU27

An Easyjet (LON:EZJ) branding dispute between founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou and the current management team begins in the High Court today. The brand licence provides that no less than 75% of the aggregate of the company's revenue, together with the total income of sub-licensees, is to be derived from the core activity which relates to transportation of passengers in aircraft. Sir Stelios is arguing that easyJet is, or might be, operating outside of the limits of the 75:25 Rule.

Oxford Biomedica (LON:OXB), the gene therapy company, has released new data from the ongoing Phase 1/11 trial of ProSavin, their gene therapy treatment of Parkinson's Disease. Two-year data has shown sustained improvements in patients and that the treatment was well tolerated. Potential partnering talks for ProSavin are ongoing.

Online gaming firm 888 is acquiring…

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