The FTSE 100 is off to a solid start this morning after a late surge on Wall Street yesterday following Ben Bernanke's comments that the US recession is over.
On Wall Street, markets fell back slightly on the anniversary of Lehman Brothers's collapse.
The beleaguered UK economy is showing signs of growth after four quarters of contraction, Bank of England Governor Mervyn King has said.
UK shares were virtually flat in morning trade, one year on from the collapse of Lehman Brothers.
UK inflation has fallen to its lowest level in over four years, according to official statistics.
On the first anniversary of the collapse of Lehman Brothers, fund management groups agree it was the "erroneous" decision to let the investment bank fail which almost crippled the global financial system.
Wall Street shares dipped as markets opened as a trade spat between the US and China escalated.
The FTSE 100 has dropped back below the 5,000 mark as miners suffer from profit taking on fears the rally in metal prices may have gone too far.
The Dow Jones made marginal losses in early trading on Friday despite a rise in confidence among US consumers.
London's blue chip index has passed the 5,000 points barrier once more, buoyed by optimism on Wall Street over night.