Britain's FTSE
Britain's blue-chip share index was higher on Monday as a weaker U.S. dollar boosted commodities companies while positive results boosted NMC Health.
The FTSE 100 was up 0.5 percent by 0938 GMT as the pound eased by 0.2 percent. European shares were boosted by gains in Italian banks after Moody's kept the country's sovereign rating stable, easing worries over a sell-off in the country's government bonds.
UK mining companies were among the biggest gainers as gold prices edged towards a 2-1/2 month peak and copper rose 1 percent as the dollar eased along with improverd sentiment over political tensions and global economic growth.
IG market analyst Joshua Mahony, however, said that the rise could be short-lived as the U.S.-China relationship comes under renewed pressure after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's warning against investing in China.
Fresnillo was the second-biggest gainer, up 4 percent after touching its highest since late August. Glencore was up 2 percent and Antofagasta gained 2.2 percent.
Copper and platinum "have been showing signs of recovering recently, and should that be the case, we could see further upside for mining companies", David Madden, market analyst at CMC Markets UK, said in a note.
Tens of thousands of supporters of the European Union began marching through London on Saturday as part of what organisers say will be the largest ever demonstration to demand that the British government holds a public vote on the terms of Brexit.The protesters waved the blue and gold flag of the EU and held up "Bollocks to Brexit" banners under sunny skies to call for another referendum on the eventual deal on how Britain will leave the world's biggest trading bloc.The march comes as pressure builds on Prime Minister Theresa May over her negotiating strategy with just over five months until Britain is due to leave. There is, so far, no divorce deal and some rebels in May's Conservative Party have threatened to vote down a deal if she clinches one.James McGrory, one of the organisers of the march, said the public should have the chance to change their minds because the decision will impact their lives for generations.Video: London protesters call for vote on final Brexit deal"People think the Brexit negotiations are a total mess, they have no faith in the government to deliver the promises that were made, partly because they cannot be delivered," he said.At the march, demonstrators carried placards saying "Brexit is pants" and "time for an EU turn." Members of parliament from all the main political parties are set to join the demonstration.Organisers estimate that more than 100,000 people will take part. Crowds will gather near Hyde Park and pass Downing Street and finish outside of parliament.The 2016 referendum saw 52 percent vote in favour of leaving the European Union. But the past two years have been politically fraught as the government has struggled to agree on a plan and there are fears that Britain leave the bloc without a deal.Ireland insists on Brexit 'backstop'Some opinion polls have shown a slight shift in favour of remaining in the European Union, but there has yet to be a decisive change in attitudes and many in Britain say they have become increasingly bored by Brexit.The prime minister has repeatedly ruled out holding a second referendum. The opposition Labour party said last month they open to a second referendum with the option of staying in the bloc in certain circumstances.Brexit supporters say a second referendum would trigger a major constitutional crisis.Germany looking to coordinate global minimum corporate tax"We had a vote, we voted to leave, the idea to have a second referendum would be incredibly damaging," said Richard Tice, Vice-Chairman of Leave Means Leave, which wants a clean break with the EU."People need to be under no illusions as to how people feel about what is a significant potential for a total betrayal of democracy in this country."
Thousands take to streets in London demanding second Brexit vote
Britain said on Saturday it was considering the "next steps" after Saudi Arabia acknowledged for the first time that the missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed at its consulate in Turkey."We send our condolences to Jamal Khashoggi's family after this confirmation of his death. We are considering the Saudi report and our next steps," the foreign ministry said in a statement. "As the Foreign Secretary has said, this was a terrible act and those responsible must be held to account."Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that he died after a fight broke out between Khashoggi and people who met him in the consulate after two weeks of denials that it had anything to do with his disappearance.Saudi consulate employees in Istanbul give testimony at prosecutor's officeUK academic calls for Saudi sanctions in Khashoggi case
Britain considering 'next steps' after Saudi Arabia admits journalist's death
Financials provided the biggest lift to the overall market, with Lloyds Banking Group jumping 2.7 percent after the Financial Times reported that the bank is planning to double its share buyback programme to almost £2 billion next year.
The move was seen as a sign of the lender's confidence even as the economic outlook remains uncertain.
Positive earnings helped to lift NMC Health. The United Arab Emirates-based healthcare provider raised its full-year earnings and revenue forecasts, citing strong organic growth, and said it remained confident of achieving its longer-term margin guidance.
Outside of the blue-chips, broker moves and M&A activity were in focus on the mid-cap FTSE 250, which firmed by 0.2 percent.
B&M European Value Retail SA was the biggest gainer, up 5.7 percent on news of plans to buy France's Babou Stores Group.
Among the losers, Cairn Energy fell 2.6 percent after Jefferies downgraded the stock to "underperform" and cut its target price, while Provident Financial dropped 2.5 percent as Barclays cut its price target after the sub-prime lender's trading update on Friday.
Britain would accept a possible extension to its post-Brexit transition period with the European Union if the bloc drops its demand for an Irish backstop, Britain's junior Brexit minister Suella Braverman said on Sunday.Talks between Britain and the EU have stalled over a disagreement over the backstop - an insurance policy to ensure there will be no return to a hard border on the island of Ireland if a future trading relationship is not in place in time."We would accept a potential extension by a few months subject to either a finite time limit or a mechanism to extricate ourselves from it if it meant breaking this impasse and avoiding the very unattractive proposal by the EU which is an indefinite customs union and a limbo period," Braverman told Sky News.Thousands take to streets in London demanding second Brexit voteIreland insists on Brexit 'backstop'EU's Barnier says Brexit deal 90 pct done, but Ireland issue could derail it
UK could accept longer Brexit transition if EU drops backstop plan: UK minister
British Prime Minister Theresa May stressed the importance of international maritime law in a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Friday, May's office said in a statement."The Prime Minister reiterated the UK's firm commitment to the rules-based international system, including the importance of freedom of navigation and maritime security, in line with international law," the statement issued following a meeting in Brussels added.Last month, Beijing expressed anger after a British Royal Navy warship sailed close to islands claimed by China in the South China Sea, saying Britain had engaged in "provocation". Both sides escalate US tariffs fight at the WTO, agenda confirmsUS asks for WTO panel over metals tariff retaliationUS-China trade frictions contributing to China equity slump
UK reminds China of importance of maritime law