UK small caps climb 0.3 percent and junior-listed AIM shares rise 0.2 percent, lagging a 0.5 percent gain by the mid-caps and theblue chips.
Mcbrie, the provider of private label household and personal careproducts, rises 1 percent after an in-line trading update, in which expects toreport adjusted operating profit for the year just ended in line with itsexpectations.
"The full year update is very brief, but seems fine, with the rate of salesdecline lessening in H2 compared to H1. Conversations with the group indicateseveral pluses but some remaining uncertainties too," Numis says in a note,keeping its "add" stance on the firm.
Innovation Group, the technology solutions provider, falls 1.8percent after selling its stake in Travest for 3.9 million pounds ($5.88million)to Santam Limited.
"The deal dilutes earnings marginally - but Innovation now has better focusand the small cash inflow helps fund future relevant accretive acquisitions.However, replacing the 51 percent pre-tax profit margin will surely bedifficult," Panmure Gordon says in a note.
Reuters messaging rm://david.brett.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
($1 = 0.6638 British pounds)