The FTSE small cap index rises 0.5 percent, ahead of junior-listedAIM shares, which drop 0.1 percent, and the mid-caps and theblue chips, which rise by 0.2 percent and 0.1 percent respectively.
Advertising and marketing firm 4imprint rises 5.3 percent aftersaying profit for the full year in 2013 would not be below 13.3 million pounds($21.87 million), which would be ahead of analysts' expectations.
"A strong (interim management statement) from FOUR this morning highlightsresults set to be 7 percent ahead of expectations ...., strong structural growthin the business, and cash ahead of expectations," WH Ireland says in a note,reiterating a "buy" rating on the stock.
"Progressing well and with technological advantages which are inherent inthe model, we believe a higher rating is justified and are setting a new 775pence target price (15 percent upside) for the present."
The secure payment service provider Eckoh gains 6.4 percent after itsays it has won two new three-year contracts, as well as renewing existingcontracts with three existing clients.
($1 = 0.6081 British pounds)
Reuters messaging rm://alistair.smout.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net