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UK stocks opened lower on Friday as relations remained strained between the US and Iran over attacks on two oil tankers, and Hong Kong citizens planned more protests over the weekend over a China extradition bill.
At 0833, the benchmark FTSE 100 index was down 22.36 points, or 0.3%, at 7.346.21 on a particularly quiet Friday for company announcements.
Recruitment firm SThree gained 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 tumbled 41% after it downgraded its annual guidance, citing delayed project bids.
Customer relationship management software provider Cerillion rallied 10% as it secured a contract worth an initial £5.1m from the Danish telecom and utility SE Group.
Bioplastics and radio frequency business Biome Technologies jumped 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 fell 1.1% as it reported weaker sales in the US and continued challenging conditions in the UK.
Advertising technology company Taptica International gained 6.9% as it approved a further share buyback programme worth up to $10m.
Investment company St Peter Port Capital dropped 21% after its annual net asset value slumped 17% owing to asset writedowns.
Logistics group Wincanton said it had secured a contract from supermarket chain Morrisons to provide transportation services from three distribution centres to its stores. Its shares were unchanged.