(MENAFN- ProactiveInvestors - UK) If the City is any judge, the UK is set to vote for the status quo in today''s EU membership referendum.
The blue-chip FTSE 100 index was up 64 points at 6,325 towards the end of the lunchtime session, reaching a level last seen in the middle of April, as traders bet that the Brexiters will be vanquished in today''s plebiscite.
Of course, the plebs may yet vote the ''wrong'' way, but for now all but a handful of blue-chips United Utilities, Paddy Power Betfair, Burberry Group and Experian are on the rise, with British Airways owner International Consolidated Airlns Grp SA (LON:IAG) flying highest of all, up 3.9%.
Financial stocks are also faring well, reflecting hopes that London''s status as top dog in Europe''s financial markets will be maintained in the event of a ''remain'' vote.
Among the small caps, energy firm Clontarf Energy PLC (LON:CLON) continues to benefit from yesterday''s news that the Ghanaian Ministry of Petroleum has invited it in for talks about Clontarf''s proposals for amended coordinates of the Tano Basin block that it originally applied for in 2008.
The shares shot up yesterday and have doubled today.
Media company Future PLC''s (LON:FUTR) acquisition of Imagine Publishing for 14.2mln, satisfied through the issue of shares, has got the thumbs-up from investors.
The shares were up 11% on the news.
Image Scan Holdings Plc (LON:IGE), up 5.9%, was wanted on news of a distribution agreement. The specialist supplier of X-ray screening systems to the security and industrial inspection markets has signed a distribution agreement for X-ray mail scanning systems with Todd Research, a leading manufacturer in the market.
London open
UK blue chips were on the rise at the open as voters took to the polls in the historic UK referendum vote on whether to stay in the EU.
More than 45mln voters are eligible to have a say and many have done so already, according to reports.
FTSE100 was up over 27 points at the time of writing at 6,289, while small cap shares were also on the up. FTSEAIM All share was up 0.13% at 723.260, while FTSE AIM 100 gained 0.14% to 3,424.
Commodities giant Glencore plc (LON:GLEN) took centre stage, up 3.24% to 153.67p, while Tesco (LON:TSCO), the grocer supertanker, added 1.74% to stand at 169.35p, as it reported that it had achieved managed like-for-like (LFL) sales growth in its UK stores for the second quarter in a row.
Among the notable small cap gainers was gold miner Aureus Mining PLC (LON:AUE), up 9.68% to 4.25p after it told investors it had received the sign-off from Liberia''s Ministry of Lands, Mines and Energy for the restart of work at the New Liberty gold processing plant.
It follows an intensive period of modification and optimisation overseen by Maelgwyn Mineral Services Africa.
Elsewhere, Savannah Resources Plc (LON:SAV) nudged up over 5% to 2.98p after it was granted Reservation Permit Applications over two new lithium projects, Somero and Erajarvi in Finland.
The mining junior announced the licence applications earlier this month.
Among the biggest London laggards was Stadium Group plc (LON:SDM), the wireless solutions and power supplies specialist, which plunged over 28% to 79p each as it reassured investors it still expects profits to grow by ''high single digits'' this year despite the loss of a significant client.
Full year results for 2016 will be slightly below market expectations as result, said the electricals group.
Elsewhere, ahead of Wednesday''s AGM, energy supplier Flowgroup PLC (LON:FLOW) added 0.83% to 12.10p as it released guidance for shareholders, saying it is targeting significant growth in the coming year.
''Our strategy remains the same,'' said chief executive Tony Stiff ''to disrupt the energy and heating markets by offering high quality, competitively priced products and services on an enduring basis, delivering customer value across the energy space in innovative ways.''
Meanwhile, Richland Resources Ltd (LON:RLD) fell back 7.69% to 1.50p after yesterday the group said it had expanded the resource estimate and significantly improved the understanding of its Capricorn Sapphire mine in Queensland, Australia.
It follows 12 months'' ''focused work'' by gemstones specialist Andrew Cunningham that has provided ''a detailed mine plan with a far greater understanding of the geology and mineralisation of the deposit'', the firm said.
Open snapshot
The FTSE 100 was up 43 points at open this morning to 6,304.
The top winner was Tesco (LON:TSCO), up 2% to 170p following a second consecutive quartely sales rise reported in an upbeat trading statement this morning.
The biggest loser was United Utilities Group (LON:UU), dipping 15 points or 1.6% to 941p.
Preview at 7.10am
As the heavens opened in London in an attempt to deter anyone from venturing out to vote in the EU referendum, the stock market is at least set for some sunshine.
Spread betting quotes point to around a 55 point rise for the FTSE 100, which yesterday closed at 6,261.
US markets were soft overnight, with the S & P off three points at 2,085, the Dow Jones average down 49 points at 17,781 and the Nasdaq Composite 10 points weaker at 4,833.
In contrast, Asian markets were mostly firmer this morning with the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo up 175 at 16,241 towards the end of trading, while in Hong Kong the Hang Seng was 80 points to the good at 20,873.
If the forex markets are any guide to the likely outcome of the referendum, the ''Remain'' camp can draw comfort from the fact sterling has made headway this morning.
Commodities etc. Gold: -US$2.50 (0.2%) at US$1,267.50 an ounce Brent crude: +US$0.36 (0.7%) at US$49.49 a barrel Sterling: +0.92 cents at US$1.1798 Share tips: Avoid Debenhams and Elementis, but buy Tullett Prebon, according to Tempus in the Times. Sell Debenhams says Questor in the Telegraph. Weather tip: Bring a brolly, galoshes and a change of clothes