STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Legrand shines after Q3 results

Shares in Legrand (LEGD.PA) rise about 7 percent, the biggest gainers on France's broad SBF 120 index .SBF120, after the French electrical installations group raises its recurring operating margin goal and reports forecast-beating third-quarter results.

"There are good surprises in the profitability and free cash flow results," writes broker Natixis in a note deeming the group's third-quarter results "excellent".

"Adjusted EBITDA before restructuring comes in at 478.3 million euros, resulting in a 17.9 percent margin well above our expectations of 16.9 percent, which were at the top end of the consensus range," it adds.

By 1225 GMT, the volume on Legrand shares already represents 114 percent of the stock's 90-day average volume.

For a link to Legrand's results, click on [ID:nBw046321a] Reuters Messaging rm://michel.rose.reuters.com@reuters.net