The FTSE Small Cap index rises 0.2 percent, outperformingjunior-listed AIM shares, mid-caps and blue chips, downbetween 0.3 percent and 0.5 percent.
Shares in Ormonde Mining rise 9 percent as Noble Group agrees topurchase all tungsten concentrate produced from Ormonde's Barruecopardo open pitmine during its first five years of operation.
Ormonde says the deal would generate net revenues of more than $350 millionfrom tungsten concentrate sales over the five years, based on current estimatesand tungsten prices.
"A positive tick for the company as it moves towards completing permitting,"analysts at Numis write in a note.
Miton Group rises 1.1 percent to 49 pence as the AIM-listed fundmanagement group reports a 20.5 percent increase in profits before tax (PBT) anda 14.2 percent increase in adjusted earnings per share (EPS).
"Prelim results have exceeded our expectations," analysts at Peel Hunt,which acts as a nominated adviser and broker for the firm, write in a note,raising their price target for the stock by 9 percent to 50 pence, with anunchanged "hold" recommendation.
Reuters messaging rm://francesco.canepa.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net