Greggs, Dignity and Premier Veterinary Group

The FTSE 100 opened in positive territory taking its cue from early advances on Asia's main markets and with crude oil prices once again climbing past the $45 a barrel mark overnight.

“Bakery group Greggs is finding the best thing since sliced bread is its range of breakfasts, hot sandwiches and ‘balanced choice’ option salads,” says AJ Bell Investment Director Russ Mould.

“Greggs was hit by the general High Street malaise in March but has since recovered and like-for-like sales were 3.7% up in the first 18 weeks of this year. This, though, compares with 6% growth last time. Sales are being driven by the group’s breakfast, hot sandwiches and 'balanced choice' options products with its salads now including innovative new products such as teriyaki chicken noodle.

“Funeral services provider Dignity’s first quarter revenues fell as the number of deaths dropped from last year’s abnormally high levels. Dignity expects the unprecedented increase in deaths to reverse this year and its current assumption remains that the number of deaths in 2016 will be broadly comparable to 2014. The first quarter figures are in line with Dignity’s forecast and the full year outlook is unchanged.

“Premier Veterinary Group’s shares slumped in early trading after pre-tax losses doubled in the first half. PVG is continuing to invest in the expansion of its ‘pet care plan’ business with the aim of achieving significant and sustained growth for the foreseeable future.”

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