On Friday, U.K. stocks saw an advance, driven by a rise in oil prices that bolstered energy stocks, while investors awaited Fed Chair Jerome Powell's speech at the Jackson Hole symposium later in the day.
Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey is also expected to address the symposium. The benchmark FTSE 100 increased by 13 points, or 0.2%, to reach 8,301, following a session on Thursday where it ended flat but with a positive inclination.
In corporate developments, Unilever experienced a slight uptick despite recalling 137,000 cases of its single-serve Popsicle Jolly Rancher Frozen Confection Pop products due to concerns about potential milk contamination.
Energy sector leaders BP Plc saw a 0.7% rise, and Shell edged up by 0.2%, as oil prices continued their overnight gains. However, oil remains on track for a weekly loss amid concerns over demand from the U.S. and China.
