The FTSE small cap index gains 0.06 percent, slightly outperformingjunior-listed AIM shares and the FTSE 100, down 0.26 percent and0.16 percent respectively. The mid-caps are flat.
Hansard Global falls more than 13 percent after the specialistlong-term savings provider issues its interim management statement and says ithas identified weaknesses in the group's procedures in relation to the issue ofChargeable Events certificates required by the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)department of the UK government.
"Whilst dividend guidance has been restated, which we view as positive,uncertainty over the ultimate cost of the HMRC issue and the impact of the newsales strategy have led us to lower our target price to 105 pence from 130 penceand our recommendation to 'hold' from 'buy'," Panmure Gordon says in a note.
Reuters messaging rm://atul.prakash.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
Hansard (HSD)