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UK small caps close up 0.1 percent, outperforming a 0.4 percent gainon the the FTSE AIM All Share Index, while the mid-caps and bluechips both advance by 1.6 percent.
Volex surges 8.7 percent after profits came in ahead of expectationsand the company appointed a new CEO.
"Volex's prelims were modestly ahead of our revised expectations althoughadjusted operating profits were better mainly due to higher exceptional costs,"analysts at Investec write in a note.
"While FY13A was very disappointing, the group has the potential to recoverearnings over the next few years under the leadership of new CEO, ChristophEisenhardt."
AIM-listed Avanti Communications closes 5.3 higher after Natixisinitiates coverage of the stock with a 'buy' rating, and non-executive directorPaul Walsh increased his stake in the company for the third time in recentmonths.
"The current price, close to historic lows, offers a unique buy opportunityat a time when news flow is likely to build with the entry into service of itssecond, and largest, satellite and its probable transfer from AIM to the LSE in2013/14," Natixis analyst Eric Beaudet writes in a note.
Reuters messaging rm://alistair.smout.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
