Britain's stock market was slightly higher on Friday despite low volume recorded ahead of next week's general election.

The majority of Europe was shut for the May Day holiday long weekend. London's benchmark FTSE 100 was up 0.36% at 6,985.95 points at the close.

Mining companies continued their domination of the stock market. Mainly due to news that China might kick start another stimulus plan which will involve buying more commodities to spur growth. The mining companies showing the biggest gains were Anglo American, which was up 5.43% and Rio Tinto which was 3.88% higher Shares of state-rescued Lloyds Banking Group jumped 7.09% after the bank announced a strong operational performance even though net profits sank by a fifth in the first quarter.