The FTSE 100 was up 0.2% to 7,542.81 with sterling remaining under pressure on the revelation the new Conservative government plans to legislate against an extension to the Brexit transition period.
Education group Pearson (PSON) gained 3% to 663p on news that it had agreed to sell its remaining 25% stake in book publisher Penguin Random House to partner Bertelsmann for around $675m (£530m).
Proceeds would fund a £350m share buyback in early 2020, with the rest to be used for general corporate purposes.
Gulf country focused healthcare group NMC Health (NMC) gained 5.5% to £18.43, recovering some of Tuesday's steep losses triggered by a critical report issued by US research firm and short-selling specialist Muddy Waters.
In its rebuttal, NMC claimed the report appeared to be 'unfounded, baseless and misleading' while rejecting concerns about the health of its balance sheet.
Recruitment and training group Staffline (STAF:AIM) plunged 32% to 72.5p as it warned on profits for the current year and said it had identified accounting errors in its previous year's results.
The latest problems at Staffline, which had already experienced accounting issues, have been accompanied by the immediate departure of chief financial officer Mike Watts.
Plumbing and heating products group Ferguson (FERG) added 0.2% to £69.82, despite it announcing that Mark Higson, the head of its soon-to-be-separated Wolseley UK unit, would leave to pursue an opportunity outside of the company.
London West End focused property company Shaftesbury (SHB) dropped 1.6% to 915p even as it announced that it had agreed to let space at a refurbishment scheme in Carnaby to US fitness brand Equinox.
Gold miner Centamin (CEY) fell 0.3% to 116.9p as it insisted that potential acquirer Endeavour would need to provide it with more information for it to consider granting the latter more time to table a takeover bid.
Investment platform provider IntegraFin (IHP) shed 2.4% to 445p on announcing the appointment of Alex Scott as chief executive from next March.
IntegraFin also reported that annual profit rose by more than a fifth as funds under direction grew despite a downtick in fund inflows.
In-game advertising group Bidstack (BIDS:AIM) tumbled 32% to 8.12p as it warned that it would not meet its revenue guidance, amid delays from commitments previously anticipated to be recognised in the year.
Scotland-focused house builder Springfield Properties (SPR:AIM) rallied 8.5% to 138.8p on announcing that a 3,042-home village development at Durieshill, Stirling, has been granted conditional planning consent.
Auto dealer Marshall Motor (MMH:AIM) reversed 3.9% to 148p as it acquired a loss-making portfolio of Volkswagen and Skoda passenger and commercial vehicle franchises from Jardine Motor for up to £22.3m.
Hostel company Safestay (SSTY:AIM) fell 4.4% to 32.03p, having acquired three hostels, in Warsaw, Prague and Bratislava, from Dreamgroup Management for a combined €3.7m.
