STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Bekaert up on upbeat Q4 outlook

Shares in Belgian steel cord manufacturer Bekaert (BEKB.BR) rise 3.5 percent after the group says it expects to maintain high sales volumes in the fourth quarter and sees a less negative impact of lower raw material prices on second-half sales. [ID:nLD49510]

"Earnings momentum is expected to pick up on a continued strong performance in emerging markets with recovery potential in EMEA and North America," KBC Securities analyst Wouter Vanderhaeghen says.

The broker raises its rating on KBC to "accumulate" from "hold" and its target price to 100 euros from 90 euros.

The stock is up at 93.98 euros, versus a 1.1 percent rise for the Bel20 .BFX index of Belgian blue chips.

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