Simon Lue-Fong, head of global emerging debt at Pictet Asset Management, believes the asset class will outperform this year, driven by strong local currency appreciation.

The FTSE 100 jumped 53.6 points (1%) to 5,777.25 in early trading after Asian stocks rose overnight and concerns over a Greek default eased.

Optimism on the economic recovery led by US retail data from March led most Asian stocks to gain slightly on Friday.

New data on US consumer credit from the Federal Reserve revealed a downturn in February and added to the downward pressure on the Asian stock markets on Thursday.

The agreement of a rescue plan for Greece's debt crisis had a positive impact on the Asian stock markets on Friday.