The FTSE small cap index rise 0.2 percent in morning trade, whilejunior-listed AIM shares gain 0.1 percent, both outperforming a 0.2percent drop on the blue chips.
Crawshaw Group rallies 15.6 percent to 19.75 pence after thebutchers group says like-for-like sales in the seven weeks to Dec. 29 rose 21percent.
"With costs very much under control, we now expect the out turn for the fullyear to end January 2014 to be materially higher than the current marketforecast," it says, adding that it has also opened a new retail outlet.
Following the results, WH Ireland lifts the price target on the 'buy'-ratedstock to 25 pence from 15.
"As a result, we raise our FY 2014E profit before tax expectation by 0.3million pounds to 0.8 million pounds ($1.32 million) and, given the positiveprogress that has been made, in combination with the restoration of the openingprogramme, we raise our FY 2015E PBT forecast by 0.5 million pounds to 1.1million pounds," John Cummins, analyst at WH Ireland, says in a note.
PureCircle adds 2.4 percent after the world's largest producer andmarketer of high purity stevia ingredients - used in sweeteners - says thatsales in the six months to end-December are expected to be $34.7 million, up 31percent year-on-year, leading to a positive operating profit.
($1 = 0.6083 British pounds)
Reuters messaging rm://antonina.vorobyova.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
