UK small caps are up 0.3 percent by mid-session, while the broad AIMindex adds 0.8 percent and the mid-caps rise 0.9 percent.
Northgate falls 3.5 percent after the van rental company reports a17 percent decline in full-year profit and gives a mixed outlook, says theSpanish business is likely to continue to decline albeit at a slower pace, whilethe UK segment should stabilise before starting to increase.
The news prompts investors to take profits on a stock which has nearlydoubled in price over the past year.
"Northgate has delivered results broadly in line with our forecasts, withtrading conditions remaining tough in both markets," analsts at Panmure Gordonsay in a note. "...with earnings momentum still negative against a strong shareprice performance to date, we maintain a cautious view on the stock for now."
Elsewhere, shares in AIM-listed IT security specialist Accumuli add 6.3percent to 15 pence after posting a 19 percent rise in EBITDA for theyear to end-March and unveiling a maiden dividend.
FinnCap raises its price target on the stock to 18.5 pence from 17.5.
Reuters messaging rm://antonina.vorobyova.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
