FTSE opens on positive note

The FTSE 100 Index has climbed 9.1 points to 4095.6 after an hour of trading.

With Shell and AstraZeneca results due later in the session, insurer Legal & General led the way among blue chips.

Its shares gained almost 4% or 3.25p to sit at 91.5p, after a surprise dividend increase as it published its interim results.

While the figures showed continued muted demand for retail savings products in its core UK market, chief executive David Prosser cheered investors saying the company expected interest to show signs of picking up over the rest of the year.

Other insurers also benefited with Aviva up 7p at 474.5p and Prudential gaining 5.25p at 414.25p.

Meanwhile AstraZeneca neared the top of the Footsie risers board climbing 47p to 2497p in anticipation of its results, while Shell made more modest progress - gaining 0.25p at 404.25p.

And High Street chemists Boots inched ahead after it reporting a 4.6% like-for-like improvement in sales. Shares were up 0.5p at 662.5p.