STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-UK small caps gain 0.5 pct midday

The FTSE Small Cap index .FTSC gains 0.5 percent in midday trade, outperforming the blue chips .FTSE, which add 0.2 percent, and the midcaps .FTMC, off 0.4 percent.

Marshalls (MSLH.L) is a big small cap riser, putting on more than 8 percent after the building materials and landscaping company issues a trading update, with Panmure Gordon repeating its "buy" rating on the stock.

Kewill (KWL.L) climbs nearly 6 percent after the software firm unveils a 48 percent rise in first-half pretax profit, increases its dividend and says it will raise 7.5 million pounds through a placing to fund future acquisitions. [ID:nLA639527]

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