London shares closed mainly higher on Thursday as oil prices rebounded during subdued Thanksgiving trading.
The FTSE 100 finished up 14.07 points, or 0.2%, at 7,483.58. The FTSE 250 closed virtually unchanged at 18,480.83, while the AIM All-Share rose 0.2% to 718.08.
Quality inspector Intertek led gains in the FTSE 100, rising 3.3% after affirming its full-year outlook alongside a trading update. Oil giants BP and Shell also climbed over 1% each as crude prices recovered above $80 a barrel. Vodafone however dropped 5.2% despite announcing plans to use less energy for its 5G network in Germany.
In the FTSE 250, Virgin Money UK sank 6.3% after profits halved, although it declared a final dividend of 2p. Meanwhile, Avon Protection surged 11% as directors purchased shares.
On AIM, Jersey Oil & Gas jumped 21% after agreeing to sell 30% of licenses in the Greater Buchan Area of the North Sea to Serica Energy. Jersey’s CEO called it “exceptional value.”