The FTSE Small Caps index closes 0.5 percent higher, with the midcaps ahead 0.6 percent, and the blue chips up 0.5 percent.
NCC Group gains 5.5 percent as the international, independentprovider of Escrow and Assurance reports a 13 percent rise in first-half grouprevenue to 48.1 million pounds, with its group adjusted pre-tax profit up 6percent to 10.9 million pounds, and it says it remains on course for anotheryear of good growth.
"We believe that the long term attractions for NCC remain intact, we remainBuyers," Shore Capital says in a note.
Serabi Gold adds 8.9 percent as the London and Toronto-listed minerraises 16.2 million pounds via a placing of 270 million new shares at a price of6 pence with Fratelli Investments and parties acting in concert, with Fratelliand the concert party to own over 50 percent of the enlarged share capital, and the funds raised to be used to put the Palito Gold Mine back into production.
Serabi also confirms, in an operations update that dewatering of the Palitoproject is two months ahead of schedule and the mining fleet has been ordered.
"It is very positive that Serabi has completed the placement at 6 pence, aslight premium to current market price," Northland Capital says in a note.
Reuters messaging rm://jon.hopkins.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net