India, July 17 -- U.K. stocks are up in positive territory on Thursday with investors switching their focus to earnings updates. A firm trend across Europe amid optimism over a potential trade deal between the EU and US is also contributing to the positive mood in the British market.
The benchmark FTSE 100 was at 8,960.62 a little while ago, gaining 34.07 points or 0.38%.
Diploma, up 7.1%, is the biggest gainer in the FTSE 100 index. Ashtead Group, Lloyds Banking Group, Whitbread, IMI, Tayloer Wimpey, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Smiths Group, Pershing Square Holdings, Airtel Africa, Rentokil Initial and Smith & Nephew are gaining 1.5 to 2.7%.
Online supermarket and technology group Ocado is up more than 12% after reporting better-tha...