The FTSE Small Cap index drops 0.5 percent,outperforming junior-listed AIM shares and mid-caps, both off 0.6 percent.
Loss-making Finnish nickel miner Talvivaara falls13.5 percent, extending falls from the previous session when itsaid it was in advanced rescue talks with the government and itcould face bankruptcy if negotiations failed.
AIM-listed oil and gas explorer Sterling Energy climbs 6 percent after increasing its exposure to Somalilandexploration.
Reuters messagingrm://tricia.wright1.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net