The FTSE 100, the blue-chip index, climbed 1.7% by 1032 GMT, on track for its best performance since April 14.

Micron's extraordinary year stems largely from its pivotal role in the AI ecosystem.

In nominal terms retail sales rose 0.1% in September, and were unchanged in October, but since consumer prices rose 0.3% in September, real retail sales declined -0.2%.

Gold rises above $4,340 as mixed payrolls lift unemployment above Fed projections.