LONDON (AFP) -
The FTSE 100 made gains in late Monday morning trade as the price of oil fell amid talk Saudi Arabia will raise output.
London's index of leading shares climbed by 0.17 percent to 5,812.90 points
Among individual share prices, Barclays rocketed after it said that it was considering moves to attract fresh capital by way of offering new shares.
Barclays share price surged by 6.45 percent 338.50 pence.
"Barclays notes recent speculation regarding the possible issuance of new equity by Barclays by way of a placing and pre-emptive offer to existing shareholders," it said in a statement to the London Stock Exchange.
"The board of Barclays confirms this is currently under active consideration. A further announcement will be made in the event that the board of Barclays decides to pursue such an equity issuance."
Oil crude futures continued to fall on Monday, to stand slightly above 134 dollars, after the UN chief said top OPEC crude producer Saudi Arabia had agreed to increase output to help cool record high prices.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, after a weekend visit to Saudi Arabia, said Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Nuaimi told his kingdom would raise production by 200,000 barrels a day in July on top of a hike of 300,000 barrels made in June.
Global finance officials fear high oil prices pose a threat to world economic growth, while truckers and others in Europe and Asia are holding protests over the rising cost of fuel.