The FTSE Small Cap Index rises 0.2 percent while thejunior-listed FTSE AIM All Share Index adds 0.4 percent,outperforming a 0.1 percent drop on the blue-chip index and a 0.6 percent fall from the mid-caps.
Newspaper publisher Connect Group - formerly knownas Smiths News - rises 4.3 percent after the company postshigher first-half profits.
Analysts at brokerage Liberum write in a research note thatConnect Group's results are a "first step in reassuring anervous market after a disappointing pre-close" - referring tothe company's trading update in March when it guided investorsto expect flat first-half profits.
Porta Communications edges up by 0.9 percent asanalysts welcome the communications company's move to buy publicrelations firm Redleaf Polhill.
"The acquisition increases the scale of Porta's activitiesand will bolster its client list. This will add to thecredibility of Porta and aid further its new business activity,"analysts at brokerage N+1 Singer write in a note.
Reuters messagingrm://sudip.kargupta.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
Smiths News (SNWS)