The FTSE Small Caps Index is down 0.3 percent in mid-session trade,outpacing a bigger decline of 1.1 percent on the blue-chip FTSE 100 index while the FTSE 250 mid-cap index is down 0.9 percent.
The FTSE Aim All Share Index is flat.
Investment trusts exposed to Japanese equities are among theworst-performers as the sector is hit by a slump on the Nikkei thisweek. The JP Morgan Smaller Companies Trust falls 3.2 percent, while theBaillie Gifford Japan Trust is down 2.7 percent.
AIM-listed property development company Formation Group surges 55.6percent after posting higher revenues and stating it is "cautiously optimistic"over its prospects.
Reuters messaging rm://sudip.kargupta.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
Baillie Gifford Japan Trust PLC (BGFD)