UK small caps firm 0.1 percent in early deals, in line with the bluechips, while junior-listed AIM shares advance 0.2 percent.
Drug firm Vernalis climbs 8.4 percent after the company reportsfirst-half revenue up 29 percent to 7.6 million pounds.
Peel Hunt keeps its "buy" rating on Vernalis saying a strong pipeline andbalance sheet, a strategy valued by big pharma and low valuation offercompelling value for investors.
Creston sheds 4.3 percent after the British communications firmsays that like-for-like revenue falls 5 percent in the three months to June 30,2013, largely due to the previously announced loss of a client.
Reuters messaging rm://david.brett.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
