Footsie edges past 4,100 level
The FTSE 100 index is up 13.7 points at 4110.2. despite a subdued close on Wall Street last night.
J Sainsbury is one of the bigger risers as interim figures came in at the top end of forecasts despite slower growth across the sector.
The shares are up 5p to 298p, as investors also showed their pleasure with an increased dividend and continuing cost savings.
Land Securities has also risen, up 16.5p to 730p. Interim profits are flat but the group remains bullish about its prospects going forward.
Others in the sector building momentum include British Land, ahead 11.5p at 421.5p and Canary Wharf, up 6p at 255p.
Among smaller stocks, Fitness First has soared 10.5p to 130p - a 9% gain - after it effectively put itself up for sale.
Widening losses at the half-way mark have unsettled Imagination Technologies, 2 adrift at 18.5p, while IQE eased 0.75p to 8p after the company revealed deepening third-quarter losses and warned that its outlook is "challenging".
