UK small caps are up 0.1 percent in afternoon trade, underperforming rises of 0.8 percent on both the mid-caps and the blue chips.
Shares in Akers Biosciences jump 22 percent to 1.45 pence after the maker of rapid diagnostic screening and testing products says it expects full-year sales to be "significantly ahead of current forecasts".
The trading update prompts Daniel Stewart to raise its sales forecasts for the year to $4.5 million from $3.5 million and increase its price target on the 'buy'-rated stock to 3.0 pence from 2.2 pence.
Shares in Genel rise 6.5 percent, boosted by news of a significant discovery at the Chia Surkh 10 well.
"The light oil discovery and impressive flow test results are encouraging," analysts at Liberum Capital write.
"However, legitimate concern remains over the outlook in Kurdistan and we remain cautious pending a tangible framework defining availability of export markets and payments. Ahead of further appraisal our forecasts are unchanged."
Reuters messaging rm://antonina.vorobyova.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
