Stock markets began Tuesday's session moderately higher with German sentiment data providing some support, as indices attempted to hold on to their recent gains after an impressive start to 2013.

So far in January, the FTSE 100 has risen over 400 points, equal to a 6.9% jump.

"European financial markets are steady early Tuesday but [...] investors are still pausing for breath following the bumper rally this month which has pushed markets to five-year highs with US stocks particularly not far off their all-time highs," said market strategist Ishaq Siddiqi from ETX Capital.

"Traders again are awaiting more data and earnings before adjusting appetite for risk but have taken some comfort in this morning's rebound in German consumer confidence which rose a touch."

The forward-looking German GfK consumer confidence survey increased from 5.7 to 5.8 in February, ahead of forecasts for no change.

There are no other major economic indicators due for release in Europe today, though markets will be keeping an eye out for consumer confidence figures Stateside later on.

FTSE 100: Anglo up despite massive impairment

Diversified mining group Anglo American gained despite saying it will recognise a $4.0bn impairment charge in its 2012 results after completing a detailed cost and schedule review of its Minas-Rio iron ore project in Brazil.

Real estate giant British Land gamed after saying it continued to perform well in the third quarter and saw "encouraging" levels of demand in spite of tough market conditions.

Consumer products giant PZ Cussons fell despite posting a rise in profits in line with market expectations. The company, which owns Original Source shampoo, Morning Fresh washing up liquid and Imperial Leather soap, reported a 9.7% increase in profits before tax of £44.1m for the six months to November. Panmure Gordon said that results were in line with forecasts.

National Grid was flat early on. The company reported "solid performance" reflecting good financial delivery for the October-January period.

FTSE 250: Strong final quarter for William Hill

Bookmaker William Hill was a high riser after saying its good performance continued into its final quarter after strong trading in retail and online. Net revenue grew by 12% in the 53 weeks to January 1st while operating profit was up 20%.

Carpet and floor coverings retailer Carpetright was higher after it said store refurbishments and an expansion to its laminate floor and bed ranges helped drive domestic sales in the third quarter.

Under-pressure coal miner Bumi plc fell as its boardroom battles escalate. The group this morning recommended shareholders vote against resolutions put forward by founder Nathaniel Rothschild to get rid of most of the company's directors, saying that the proposed changes are "not the way forward".

Diamond producer Petra fell despite reporting a 54% rise in first-half revenue. The company said that production had increased by 31% to 1.2m carats in the first six months of the year.


FTSE 100 - Risers
Evraz (EVR) 300.20p +2.21%
Anglo American (AAL) 1,911.00p +2.06%
Johnson Matthey (JMAT) 2,416.00p +1.43%
Kazakhmys (KAZ) 754.50p +1.28%
Petrofac Ltd. (PFC) 1,728.00p +1.11%
Centrica (CNA) 348.80p +0.93%
Carnival (CCL) 2,635.00p +0.88%
Vodafone Group (VOD) 172.55p +0.85%
GKN (GKN) 243.50p +0.83%
Sainsbury (J) (SBRY) 333.40p +0.82%

FTSE 100 - Fallers
Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 355.70p -3.29%
BT Group (BT.A) 245.00p -2.82%
Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 52.15p -1.86%
Barclays (BARC) 301.65p -1.37%
Weir Group (WEIR) 2,015.00p -0.98%
Aggreko (AGK) 1,730.00p -0.97%
Aberdeen Asset Management (ADN) 418.00p -0.95%
Experian (EXPN) 1,071.00p -0.83%
Intertek Group (ITRK) 3,100.00p -0.80%
Wood Group (John) (WG.) 818.50p -0.73%

FTSE 250 - Risers
William Hill (WMH) 382.00p +4.26%
Rank Group (RNK) 159.20p +2.71%
Investec (INVP) 472.40p +2.67%
Betfair Group (BET) 661.00p +1.69%
Carpetright (CPR) 694.00p +1.61%
Drax Group (DRX) 594.00p +1.54%
3i Group (III) 262.70p +1.47%
JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 750.00p +1.35%
Debenhams (DEB) 103.50p +1.27%
Regus (RGU) 117.20p +1.21%

FTSE 250 - Fallers
Petra Diamonds Ltd.(DI) (PDL) 114.20p -4.83%
New World Resources A Shares (NWR) 296.10p -2.89%
COLT Group SA (COLT) 103.70p -2.81%
Pace (PIC) 219.00p -2.23%
Kier Group (KIE) 1,379.00p -2.06%
PZ Cussons (PZC) 386.30p -2.05%
Alent (ALNT) 338.00p -2.00%
International Personal Finance (IPF) 398.00p -1.78%
Cairn Energy (CNE) 285.20p -1.72%
Telecity Group (TCY) 863.50p -1.71%

BC

Related share prices
Anglo American (AAL) share price
British Land Co (BLND) share price
Carpetright (CPR) share price
PZ Cussons (PZC) share price
Petra Diamonds Ltd.(DI) (PDL) share price
William Hill (WMH) share price
National Grid (NG.) share price
Bumi (BUMI) share price