By Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- U.K.'s FTSE 100 headed for its first gain in three days on Tuesday, with upbeat earnings reports from BP PLC, GKN PLC and Next PLC lifting the trading mood.

The FTSE 100 index climbed 0.4% to 6,812.46, recovering from a 0.1% loss on Monday.

Heavyweight BP (BP) added 0.7% after the oil giant reported a rise in second-quarter profit, boosted by its investment in Russian energy group OAO Rosneft .

Also on the rise, shares of GKN rallied 6.8% after the car-parts maker posted an increase in first-half profit.

Next PLC advanced 1.7% after the clothing retailer raised its full-year profit guidance and reporting strong sales for the first half.

In data news, June data for mortgage approvals in the U.K. are due at 9:30 a.m. in London, or 4:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

More must-reads from MarketWatch:

How to play the pound in Scotland's independence vote

6 things to watch for investors this week in Europe

5 things not to buy at dollar stores

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires

BP (NYSE:BP)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2024 to Mar 2024 Click Here for more BP Charts.
BP (NYSE:BP)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2023 to Mar 2024 Click Here for more BP Charts.