India, May 23 -- U.K. stocks moved higher Friday morning, reacting to data showing a notable rise in retail sales, and survey showing strong consumer confidence. However, stocks pared gains subsequently in cautious trade and the market was up just marginally a little past noon.
The benchmark FTSE 100 was up 11.09 points or 0.13% at 8,750.35 nearly half-an-hour past noon. The index had advanced to 8,779.55 earlier in the session.
Anglo American Plc is up 4.2% and EasyJet is gaining 4%. Melrose Industries, IAG, Endeavour Mining, 3i Group, Convatec Group, Antofagasta, Glencore, WPP, GSK, Whitbread and Fresnillo are up 1 to 2%.
Shares of investment platform AJ Bell Plc are up 7.5% after the company posted a 12% year-over-year rise in half-ye...