LONDON (ShareCast) - Investors are generally holding their fire ahead of this afternoon's Autumn statement from the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne.

The Footsie gives back a few of the gains made yesterday, largely as a result of the weakness of miners, while banks are also off the boil.

PUTTING ON A SHOW
 
Exhibitions and conferences firm ITE Group saw adjusted profit before tax in the year to September 30th rise to £51.4m from £36.6m the year before. Revenue climbed to £155.5m from £113.5m last year. The market has been expecting pre-tax profits of £50m on turnover of £153.5m.

Spread betting pioneer IG Group saw a high level of client activity in the second quarter of its financial year, as a result of which it currently expects that it will achieve revenues in excess of £193.0m for the first half, compared to £156.7m in the corresponding period for the prior year. Costs have been in line with management's expectations.

SMALL CAPS ON THE UP

Specialist castings and engineering group Chamberlin said half yearly revenue rose by a quarter and it expects full year results to be in line with current market forecasts.

Shares in oil exploration firm Enquest jumped this morning after it upped production guidance after deciding to develop two new fields. Enquest said it would begin an $850m development of its Alma and Galia fields, subject to anticipated regulatory approvals.

Optical components maker Gooch & Housego reported a 78% surge in full year adjusted pre-tax profit and said it is well positioned to weather the current economic climate. Revenue for the year increased to £61m from £44.7m as robust demand continues for lasers used in manufacturing.

FTSE 100 - Risers
GKN (GKN) 181.70p +2.60%
Randgold Resources Ltd. (RRS) 6,315.00p +1.20%
G4S (GFS) 241.70p +1.05%
Rexam (REX) 341.20p +0.83%
Smith & Nephew (SN.) 569.00p +0.71%
Burberry Group (BRBY) 1,205.00p +0.67%
Bunzl (BNZL) 810.50p +0.56%
Compass Group (CPG) 563.00p +0.54%
IMI (IMI) 751.00p +0.40%
Whitbread (WTB) 1,585.00p +0.38%

FTSE 100 - Fallers
Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY) 23.32p -1.50%
Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) 19.48p -1.32%
Resolution Ltd. (RSL) 236.50p -1.29%
Antofagasta (ANTO) 1,080.00p -1.28%
Xstrata (XTA) 936.60p -1.23%
Rio Tinto (RIO) 3,125.00p -1.23%
Old Mutual (OML) 108.20p -1.19%
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (IAG) 142.90p -1.18%
Kazakhmys (KAZ) 848.00p -1.11%
National Grid (NG.) 632.00p -1.10%

FTSE 250 - Risers
EnQuest (ENQ) 98.95p +8.74%
Salamander Energy (SMDR) 212.20p +5.31%
ITE Group (ITE) 193.00p +4.49%
IG Group Holdings (IGG) 452.00p +4.20%
Perform Group (PER) 207.40p +3.70%
Carpetright (CPR) 388.00p +3.47%
Mitie Group (MTO) 257.30p +3.29%
Premier Foods (PFD) 4.89p +3.05%
Heritage Oil (HOIL) 171.30p +2.64%
Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) 37.24p +2.56%

FTSE 250 - Fallers
Unite Group (UTG) 154.80p -3.73%
Kenmare Resources (KMR) 33.03p -3.22%
Mothercare (MTC) 152.90p -2.98%
Stobart Group Ltd. (STOB) 110.10p -2.91%
Thomas Cook Group (TCG) 21.11p -2.85%
Jupiter Fund Management (JUP) 206.00p -2.18%
Renishaw (RSW) 811.50p -1.93%
Rathbone Brothers (RAT) 1,031.00p -1.90%
F&C Commercial Property Trust Ltd. (FCPT) 100.10p -1.77%
Dixons Retail (DXNS) 10.65p -1.75%

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