UK small caps fall 0.2 percent in midsession trade, in tandem withthe mid-caps and the blue chips, while the junior-listed AIMshares made it into positive territory, rising 0.2 percent.
Scisys, the supplier of bespoke software systems and IT basedsolutions, falls 12.2 percent after announcing some slippage in projects due tothe vagaries of public sector procurement as it reports flat operating profit ofof 1.3 million pounds year-on-year for the six months to June 30, while earningsper share falls 13 percent to 2.1 pence.
"Interims show that H1 saw a creditable performance delivered in challengingconditions ... but it also bring news of slippage in the commencement ofcontracted projects - factors outside of the company's control," FinnCap says ina note, while easing its revenue and earnings growth forecasts.
Faroe Petroleum slashed its full-year production forecast due to anextended maintenance shutdown at its Njord field in the Norwegian Sea, sendingits shares down 7 percent.
"While we had anticipated lower production following recent updates, theextended shut-in at Njord and lowering of guidance is clearly disappointing andunforeseen," Panmure Gordon says in a note.
"Unfortunately, increased downtime is occasionally part of operating matureinfrastructure," it says, lowering its target price to 184 pence from 190 pencebut keeping its "buy" rating.
Reuters messaging rm://david.brett.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
