Beyond the Footsie: Friday close

SHARES in UK smaller companies ended the day lower, underperforming the broader market, as a profit warning from

Zotefoams fell 12p to 80p after the group warned that it expects full-year profit to be half of that achieved a year earlier due to lower-than-expected sales in the UK and Europe, and the additional costs incurred in taking corrective action in North America.

And Universe Group lost 4p at 31 1/2p on news it plans to raise £3.4m by way of a 3-for-8 rights issue at 21.5p per share. The bureaux de change operator will use the cash to develop its business and repay bank debt.

Among the risers, SP Holdings closed 6 1/2p higher at 17 1/2p after the group said its new business strategy is bearing fruit and anticipates it will return to profit in the first-half of the full year.

The firm said all its operating businesses were trading in line with management expectations.

Elsewhere, a confident trading statement also boosted Oystertec, 3/4p higher at 17 3/4p. The medical device maker said it is confident that annual underlying profits will be materially ahead of market expectations.

Hornby was marked up by 12 1/2p to 1102 1/2p after the toymaker posted a better-than-expected 33% rise in interim pretax profit and predicted strong Christmas trading.