UK small caps advance 0.1 percent, underperformingthe wider market, with the mid-caps up 0.4 percent andthe blue chips 0.3 percent firmer.
Life assurance specialist Chesnara edges up 1percent after issuing a solid trading update, prompting PanmureGordon to lift its target price for the firm to 315 pence.
Capital Drilling drops more than 11 percent afterthe drilling company posts a trading update which details weakermarket conditions, with Canaccord Genuity reducing its earningsestimates for the firm.
Reuters messagingrm://tricia.wright1.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net