The FTSE Small Caps gain 0.4 percent in morning trade,underperforming a 0.7 percent stronger FTSE 100 and a 0.8 percent riseon the FTSE 250 mid-cap index.
Africa-focused Avocet Mining, battling to refinance after it slashedreserves at its sole operating mine, jumps 24 percent after saying it has agreeda deal that will allow it to fund two key growth projects and reduce aburdensome forward sale deal.
Sunrise Resources gains 4 percent on positive diamond results fromits recently discovered project in Western Australia.
Reuters messaging rm://atul.prakash.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net