The FTSE Small Cap index turns positive in early afternoon trades, adding 0.3 percent, while the blue chips add 0.6 and the mid caps
gain 0.4 percent.
Technology provider e2v Technologies falls 1.8 percent in heavy trading volumes of 20 times its 90-day daily average after a warning that it would miss its targets for the year.
Sepura gains 4 percent on its stock price after the release of a trading statement detailing a strong first half performance and new business in North America.
"A solid start - first half trading has been strong and benefitted from early delivery of several orders originally scheduled for the third quarter," analysts at Liberum Capital say in a note.
"The company is performing in line with market full year expectations. A healthy order book and robust pipeline of opportunities offers confidence in ongoing progress."
Reuters messaging rm://alistair.smout.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net
Keywords: MARKETS EUROPE STOCKSNEWS