The FTSE AIM All Share small cap equity index edges up by 0.2percent in mid-session trading, in line with a 0.1 percent rise on the blue-chipFTSE 100 index and beating a 0.2 percent decline on the FTSE 250 mid-capindex.
Chocolate maker Thorntons rises 1 percent to 144.70 pence, afterposting higher sales and sticking to its financial outlook, prompting brokeragePanmure Gordon to raise its price target on the stock to 150 pence from 116pence. Panmure also keeps a "buy" rating on Thorntons' shares.
Pilat Media also surges 22.4 percent after it unveils a takeoveroffer for the company from rival Sintec Media.
Emerging-markets focused fund Ashmore Global Opportunities Ltd falls 3.3 percent, as it bears the brunt of another set-back on emerging marketsassets on Thursday, with the Turkish lira falling to record lows.
Reuters messaging rm://sudip.kargupta.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net