Britain's junior-listed AIM shares rise 0.4 percent, outperformingsmall, mid- and large caps, which shed between 0.2 percent and 0.5 percent.
Shares in AIM-listed Pressure Technologies rise 7.2 percent involume over 30 times its three-months average as the engineering company agreesto acquire Roota Engineering, an oil & gas industry specialist, in a dealfinanced through two placings.
"The acquisition is significantly earnings enhancing," Charles Stanleywrites in a note. "Roota is a highly complementary acquisition, operating inmarkets that are well understood by (Pressure Technology's) management."
Field management specialist ServicePower, also listed in the AIMindex, rises 11.1 percent as it unveils a multi-year contract from Swedishappliances maker Electrolux.
ServicePower expects the contract to generate "significant revenues".
Reuters messaging rm://francesco.canepa.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net