STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-UK small caps gain 0.2 pct midday

The FTSE Small Cap index .FTSC gains 0.2 percent in midday trade, while the midcaps .FTMC add 0.4 percent outperforming the blue chips .FTSE, which are flat.

Mariana Resources (MRRE.L) rises 3.4 percent after the explorer signs a joint venture (JV) agreement with Hochschild Mining (HOCM.L) to explore and develop three adjoining prospective gold-silver tenements in Patagonia. [ID:nLC438386]

Safestore (SAFE.L) climbs 3.9 percent after the self-storage firm says it sees full-year results in line with expectations, prompting Evolution Securities to repeat its "buy" rating on the stock. [ID:nLC610889]

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