UK small caps rise 0.2 percent in mid-session trade, underperforming a 0.5 percent rise on the mid-caps and 0.3 percent gains on the blue chips.
Cape, a provider of painting and insulation services to the mining and LNG industries, rallies 12.3 percent after saying it expects improved margins in 2013 and maintained its dividend despite a lower full-year profit.
Tribal Group (LSE: TRB.L - news) , a provider of technology products and services to the education, learning and training markets, rallies 15 percent in heavy volume nearly 10-times its 90-day daily average, after reporting a robust trading update, which prompts Canaccord Genuity to ramp up its target price to 150 pence from 115 pence.
"The board now anticipates adjusted pre-tax profit of approximately £12.8m, some 30 percent ahead of our and consensus estimates. The current year has started well and the company expects further good progress in the remainder of 2013," Canaccord Genuity says in a note.
Reuters messaging rm://david.brett.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
