UK small caps close down 0.4 percent, underperforming a rise of 0.2 percent on the blue chips, but doing better than the mid-caps, which fall 0.7 percent.
BATM Advanced Communications (Other OTC: BTAVF - news) gain 4.1 percent after reporting growth in both of its divisions and confirming that the company remains on track for revenue and significant profit growth for full year 2013.
"This is a good Q1 report from BATM, indicating strong organic growth for both the Telecoms and Medical divisions, as well as improved margins and a solid cash balance," analysts at finnCap said in a note.
"While it is too early in the year to look for an upgrade, these results give us confidence the company will deliver the full year forecasts."
Avocet Mining (LSE: AVM.L - news) sheds 9 percent as concerns about cash burn and a weak gold price outweigh broadly in-line first-quarter gold production at the West-Africa-focused miner.
Reuters messaging rm://alistair.smout.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
