RETAIL stocks helped the FTSE 100 Index hold firm today as the latest fears over Greek debt talks weighed on European markets.
Sports Direct and B&Q parent Kingfisher were on the up, helping the top-flight add 7.6 points to 7040.9, as Germany's Dax and France's Cac 40 headed lower.
In New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was also in the red.
Traders have had mixed messages about the progress of talks between bailed-out Greece and its creditors.
The debt-laden country had said on Wednesday that it expected to reach a deal on more bail-out loans ahead of a key debt repayment deadline next week - helping stocks rise strongly.
But sentiment was dampened today after it emerged overnight that German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said "negotiations have not progressed much".
Meanwhile In currency markets, the pound was under pressure after official figures confirming gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.3 per cent in the first three months of 2015, scotching hopes for an upward revision and revealing a dire net trade performance.
Sterling fell by a cent against the dollar, at just under 1.53, also dropping a cent against the euro, at 1.40, with confirmation of the slowdown appearing to narrow any chance of an interest rate hike later this year.
In corporate news, Sports Direct - controlled by Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley - said its underlying pre-tax profits for the year would beat forecasts, while underlying earnings of £380 million for the period were in line with expectations.
Shares topped the top-flight leaderboard with a rise four per cent, or 27.5p, to 686p.
Elsewhere, Kingfisher said it was ploughing on with a shake-up plan "at pace" as it reported a first quarter slide in sales at B&Q.
The DIY chain saw UK and Ireland same-store sales drop by 1.1 per cent in the 13 weeks to May 2, while group-wide retail profits fell 4.8 per cent to £150m after a £10m currency hit due to the weak euro.
But with the group up against tough comparatives from a year earlier, the B&Q sales fall failed to unnerve investors, with shares lifting 8.2p to 375p.
Elsewhere, British Airways owner International Airlines Group (IAG) said it would not up its 1.4 billion euro (£1 billion) offer for Aer Lingus amid speculation that major stakeholder Ryanair will play "hard ball" over the deal.
The low-cost airline, which owns 29.8 per cent of the Irish flag carrier, has become "kingmaker" in the takeover bid after the deal was given the green light by the Dublin government - which itself has a quarter share of Aer Lingus.
Shares in IAG lifted 7p to 569p, while Ryanair rose 8 cents (5.7p) to 11.83 euros (844p).
The biggest risers in the FTSE 100 Index were Sports Direct International up 27.5p at 686p, Kingfisher up 8.2p at 375p, ARM Holdings up 29p at 1168p and Dixons Carphone up 9.2p at 473.5p.
The biggest fallers in the FTSE 100 Index were Ashtead Group down 56p at 1161p, BT down 9.25p at 449.75p, easyJet down 30p at 1624p and Marks & Spencer down 9.5p at 587p.
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