FTSE 100 up 0.6, FTSE 250 adds 0.3
BP rises on Q4 profit beat, increases share buybacks
British retailers reported sluggish sales in January
Renishaw sees improved H2 trading, top performer on FTSE 250

Feb 6 Reuters Britain39;s FTSE 100 moved higher on Tuesday, helped by a rise in energy shares over upbeat results from industryheavyweight BP, while Chinaexposed mining and financial stocks rose after the world39;s secondlargest economy pledged stock market support.

The bluechip FTSE 100 is on track to snap a foursession losing streak, rising 0.6 by 908 GMT, while the midcap FTSE 250 index climbed 0.3.

Energy majo reported fourthquarter profit above estimates and increased the pace of its share repurchases, boosting the shares by 5.9 to twomonth highs.

The broader oil and gas shares rose 2.6, also supported by an uptick in crude prices.

The industrial metal miners index added 0.5 on a softer dollar and improved risk sentiment following statebacked buying of Chinese stocks.

Other Chinaexposed stocks such as Standard Chartered, HSBC and Prudential rose between 0.5 and 2.6, while the banks index moved 1.1 higher.

On the data front, investors are awaiting the SP Global Purchasing Managers39; Index PMI for the UK39;s economic output in January, along with UK construction PMI, both due later in the day.

Meanwhile, a survey showed British retailers reported sluggish sales in January as shoppers remained cautious about spending, underscoring how high inflation and…