House prices are in focus after lender Halifax reported a 1.1% rise for October and Persimmon said the amount generated from completed homes lifted 2%.
The builder’s shares were among several doing well in the FTSE 250 index, with others higher after updates including Direct Line Insurance and Watches of Switzerland.
Trading conditions remain tough, however, as the owner of Pizza Express today pulled out of bidding for Wagamama business The Restaurant Group.
