British Energy stood out today, up 32p to 520.5p.
Investors seem to have decided the company would benefit from recent increases in electricity prices, something highlighted in a positive note from analysts at Cazenove.
"The UK forward electricity price for 2008/9 has risen by 10% in the last three weeks and is now around £42/MWh, its highest level so far this year," said Caz. "Despite this rise, British Energy's share price reaction has been somewhat muted, with the shares still some 20% off their year-to-date high of 588p reached in late May (when forward electricity prices last rallied).
"The company is holding investor meetings in London today, which may give management the opportunity to talk about the improved reliability of [its] plant, the potential for new nuclear and the dividend outlook. We retain our outperform recommendation with a fair value estimate of 660p, 35% upside from the current share price."
Dealers also reported some switching from rival Drax, the owner of Europe's biggest coal-fired power station. It slipped 3p to 605p on what will be its final day in the FTSE 100 index.
Still with energy, BG Group was 7p better at 855p as it confirmed a fourth successful test well in the Santos Basin off Brazil.
Elsewhere things were a bit calmer after the recent volatility. Even this morning's quarterly triple expiry of futures and options - which can lead to dramatic share price movements - passed uneventfully.
As for Northern Rock, its shares recovered 8.3p to 193.5p. Investment group RAB Capital has taken a near 6% stake, betting that the worst may now be over. Still no sign of a bidder, though.
So by the close the FTSE 100 was 27.7 points higher at 6456.7.
Insurance group Prudential added 11p to 696.5p as it poached Tidjane Thiam as finance director from rival Aviva, down 0.5p to 688p.
Meanwhile bid target Resolution rose 18.5p to 702.5p. To recap, Resolution has been trying to merge with rival Friends Provident, down 1.2p to 173.5p. But Pearl Assurance and Standard Life, up 1.25p to 275.25p, now seem to be considering bids for Resolution, while Friends could also be a target for the likes of Zurich Financial or Old Mutual, down 0.6p to 153.3p.
"Resolution has a real embedded value of more than 750p so there is still plenty of upside," said Tim Young at Collins Stewart. "Standard Life will have to issue shares [for any bid] so it is probably a trading short. Friends is in play and would be attractive to a number of parties."
Fashion retailer Next added 1p to £19.36 as both JP Morgan and Seymour Pierce issued positive notes.
JP Morgan said: "Given a recent deterioration in the outlook for UK consumer spending, we favour companies that are compellingly valued with significant self-help potential, which are managing inventories and margins well and that are likely to see improved sales momentum, despite slowing sales for the overall sector. We think Next fits the bill and this remains our preferred stock in the sector."
Seymour Pierce said Next was "a share to pick up on red days in the market" and repeated its buy recommendation.
But B&Q owner Kingfisher continued to suffer after yesterday's lacklustre results, down 6.3p to 174.7p. Home Retail Group, which owns B&Q rival Homebase, was also unloved, down 7.25p to 366.5p.
Building materials group Wolseley lost 18p to 848.5p, as concerns about how it would be hit by the slowing US housing market resurfaced ahead of full-year results due on Monday.
Back among the risers, the London Stock Exchange jumped 113p to £18 as UBS and JP Morgan placed 5.3m shares at around £17.95. Dealers suggested the buyer could be the Qatar Investment Authority. Yesterday Qatar and Borse Dubai both took substantial stakes in the LSE, prompting hopes of a takeover battle.
However Lloyds of London insurer Beazley lost 3.25p to 172.75p after UBS cut from buy to neutral.
It was a bad day to be an investor in some of the UK's smaller companies.
IT group Alphameric collapsed nearly 60%, down 17.5p to 12.5p. The company warned of significant losses at its Amalgamated Racing joint venture, as bookmakers refuse to take its TV and data service and indeed are threatening legal action in a dispute they are currently having with racecourse owners. Meanwhile Alphameric said it was seeking further funding, from third parties and from shareholders.
Packaging group API lost 39.5p to 41p as it said it had a cashflow shortfall and was reviewing several options to resolve the situation.
Larger than expected losses at airline catering and cabin equipment group Watermark saw its shares slump 2.25p to 14.75p, while display group Screen Technology dropped 6.75p to 5.25p as it warned sales would be below forecasts and that it needed new funding.
But support services group Carter & Carter recovered 10.5p to 89.5p after yesterday's news it was considering a rights issue. Kaupthing analysts said it could reduce debt with a five for three equity issue at 65p.
Intellego Holdings was steady at 2.25p as entrepreneur Charles Denton edged his stake up to 20.68%. Traders believe he may have the company in his takeover sights.
IT recruitment group InterQuest - where Channel 4 boss and now Borders bookshop owner Luke Johnson holds around 13% - added 5p to 110p after reporting half-year profits up 57% to £1.4m. The company is expected to announce another acquisition shortly.
Finally, on Sports Direct watch, Mike Ashley's company lost another 2p to 121. The company has postponed an analysts visit due next week, which was set up in an attempt to be more accommodating to the City.