STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-UK small caps gain 0.5 pct early

The FTSE Small Cap index .FTSC gains 0.5 percent in early deals, outperforming the midcaps .FTMC, which rise 0.3 percent, and the blue chips .FTSE, which add 0.1 percent.

Mariana Resources (MRRE.L) jumps more than 16 percent after the explorer announces a placement to raise about 2.6 million pounds at a price of 13 pence a share.

The proceeds are primarily to be directed towards follow-up exploration at the Dos Calandrias gold-silver project in the Deseado Massif region of Argentina.

Antisoma (ASM.L) rises 4.6 percent after the cancer specialist says it is finishing 2009 in a strong position, with two drugs well into pivotal phase III trials and significant cash resources.

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