On a very quiet morning for corporate news investors attention is drawn to rising tensions in the Middle East after the US accused Iran of involvement in an apparent attack on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman yesterday.
With safe havens in demand precious metals miner Fresnillo (FRES) gains 2.4%. The FTSE 100 retreats 0.3% to 7,346.96.
Recruitment firm SThree (STHR) is up 3.6% on reporting a 9% rise in first-half net fees, as strength in its contract business more than offset weakness in permanent placements.
Clean water technology company Mycelx Technologies (MYX:AIM) tumbles 41% after it downgrades its annual guidance, citing delayed project bids.
Customer relationship management software provider Cerillion (CER:AIM) rallies 10% as it secures a contract worth an initial £5.1m from the Danish telecom and utility SE Group.
Bioplastics and radio frequency business Biome Technologies (BIOM:AIM) jumps 8.8% on announcing that it expected to receive revenues 'immediately' following the commercial production of its new heat-stable material in the US.
Luxury furniture retailer Walker Greenbank (WGB:AIM) falls 1.1% as it reports weaker sales in the US and continued challenging conditions in the UK.
Advertising technology company Taptica International (TAP:AIM) gains 6.9% as it approves a further share buyback programme worth up to $10m.
Investment company St Peter Port Capital (SPPC:AIM) drops 21% after its annual net asset value slumped 17% owing to asset writedowns.
Logistics group Wincanton (WIN) secures a contract from supermarket chain Morrisons (MRW) to provide transportation services from three distribution centres to its stores. Its shares were unchanged.
