UK small caps shed 0.2 percent, mirroring weakness from the blue chips, off 0.3 percent, while the midcaps climb 0.2 percent.
APR Energy (Other OTC: APRYY - news) jumps 9.6 percent after the fast-track power company announces a new 250MW contract in Libya to provide a turnkey power solution.
"This is clearly encouraging news, suggesting there is good momentum in the business but ahead of the company's prelims next week we reiterate and maintain our 'reduce' recommendation," Cantor Fitzgerald says in a note.
The broker notes that the shares are trading on a FY2012 price earnings ratio of 18.4 times "which we believe is expensive for a company which still has a lot to prove".
Hellenic Carriers, a provider of marine transportation services for dry bulk cargoes, slides almost 13 percent after the company reports full-year results, with revenue having dropped around 60 percent to $13.2 million.
"(The) 2012 results were in line with our forecasts but clearly reflect the extremely challenging market conditions prevalent during the year. The company's solid balance sheet, however, should allow it to cope with these challenging market conditions and manage its business through the downturn," Panmure Gordon says in a note.
The broker, which keeps a "hold" recommendation on the stock, cuts its target price to 20 pence from 36 pence.
Reuters messaging rm://tricia.wright1.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
