In London on Tuesday, the FTSE 100 gained 0.98 percent to 6,376.8 while the FTSE 250 was 1.34 percent higher to 11,510.8.
Both indices were led by the oil sector. Royal Dutch Shell’s (LSE: RDSA, RDSB; NYSE RDS.A, RDS.B) A and B shares took the top two places on the 100, with B shares adding 2.9 percent to £19.85 and A shares gaining 3.02 percent to £19.79 after UBS (NYSE: UBS; SWX: UBSN; TYO: 8657) raised its recommendation on the oil group from “neutral“ to “buy“.
BG Group also did well with its shares 2.43 percent higher to 800.5p.
On the 250, Tullow Oil (LSE: TLW; OTC: TUWLY) was up 6.63 percent to 547p.
Meanwhile, SOCO International (LSE: SIA) added 7.34 percent to £21.65 for the best day on the 250.
Other gainers included miner Kazakhmys (LSE: KAZ), which was up 2.62 percent to £13.33 on the news that profits were up 22 percent in the first half of the year.
In the retail sector, Home Retail (LSE: HOME) gained 2.63 percent to 429.5p.
The biggest loser on the day on the 100 was in the banking sector, with Northern Rock (LSE: NRK) falling 1.21 percent to 732p.
Bakery goods retailer Greggs (LSE: GRG) dropped 4.46 £50.50 for the worst performance on the 250.
Property-related groups saw declines on the day.
Home builder Persimmon (LSE: PSN) was 0.95 percent lower to £11.46, while property investor Liberty International (LSE: LII) fell 1.17 percent to £11.83.
In the pharmaceuticals sector, Shire (LSE: SHP; NAS: SHPGY) dropped 1.15 percent to £12.95.