London stocks rose in early trade on Friday following heavy losses in the previous session, despite disappointing retail sales and consumer confidence data.
At 0825 GMT, the FTSE 100 was up 0.4% at 7,781.47.
Figures out earlier from the Office for National Statistics showed that retail sales continued to fall in December, as hard-pressed shoppers cut back on spending.
Sales volumes were estimated to have fallen 1% last month, compounding a 0.5% slide in November, revised downwards from an initial estimate of -0.4%. Analysts had been expecting a 0.5% improvement in sales in December.
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.