London stocks had extended gains by midday on Wednesday, having taken their cue from solid US and Asian sessions, as investors sifted through a raft of corporate news.
The FTSE 100 was up 0.6% at 7,611.11.
Paper and packaging companies were the top performers on the FTSE 100 after corrugated packaging group Smurfit Kappa hiked its dividend by 10% and reported jump in full-year revenue and earnings amid solid demand. Smurfit rose just over 2%, but peers Mondi and DS Smith enjoyed even bigger gains.
Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: “Smurfit Kappa helped lift its industry peers with guidance for rising prices that should benefit the entire space amid strong demand.”
Jarvis Investment Management Ltd offers a wide range of stockbroking and administration services and solutions. Their parent company, Jarvis Securities plc (LON:JIM) is listed on AIM.