july 21 reuters  uks ftse 100 opened higher on friday as energy firms gained on rise in crude prices while defensive stocks advanced after an surprise upside in domestic retail sales cemented bets of more interest rate hikes by the bank of england by 0712 gmt the bluechip ftse 100 ftse gained 01 while the more domesticallyfocussed ftse 250 midcap index ftmc fell 03 the pound perked up after official data showed british retail sales rose more than expected in june defensive sectors such as utilities ftub6510 and personal care drug and grocery stores ftnmx452010 gained 06 and 04 respectively heavyweight energy stocks ftnmx601010 added 05 as crude prices rose the exporterheavy ftse 100 is on track to post weekly gains of nearly 3 as risk appetite flourished this week after data showed domestic inflation easing more than anticipated hargreaves lansdown hrgvl rose 25 after jefferies upgraded the investment platforms rating to buy from underperform