STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-UK small caps gain 0.5 pct midday

The FTSE Small Cap index .FTSC gains 0.5 percent in midday trade, underperforming both the blue chips .FTSE and the midcaps .FTMC, which rise 1.2 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively.

John Menzies (MNZS.L) tops the small cap leader board, adding more than 8 percent, after the newspaper distribution and aviation services firm says it expects full-year results will now be well above current market expectations. [ID:nWLA7866]

Fenner (FENR.L) climbs 4 percent after the conveyor-belt maker posts strong full-year results and says it sees improvement in its major markets as well as benefits from cost cuts and an end to destocking by customers. [ID:nLB160383]

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