The FTSE Alternative Investment Market (AIM) all-share index of UKsmall stocks ends up 0.5 percent, outperforming the higher capitalisation FTSEsmall-cap index, flat, and mid caps, up 0.4 percent.
AIM-listed Bezant resources rises 2.4 percent as mineralsexploration and development company gains approval for its Eureka project inArgentina.
Shares in Afferro Mining rise 3.8 percent as the group, whichrecently received a takeover offer from IMIC, reports a "substantial increase"in the mineral resource estimate for the Nkout project.
"Whilst we believe the latest resource statement further highlights thequality of the resource base, with Afferro board recommending the latest IMICoffer we don't see that it moves the dial in terms of the corporate picture,"analysts at Panmure Gordon say in a note, reiterating their "buy" stance on thestock.
Reuters messaging rm://francesco.canepa.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net