STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Atlantia up after H1 traffic data

Italian motorway operator Atlantia SpA (ATL.MI) shares rise 2 percent after a narrower-than-expected 2.9 percent fall in first-half traffic.

In a research note, Credit Suisse says it was expecting a 4.5 percent fall in traffic in the first half and second-quarter traffic was up 1.2 percent, citing the company.

Credit Suisse keeps its "outperform" rating on the stock while raising its earnings estimates and price target to 20 euros from 18 euros.

"Increasing traffic forecasts: we revise our full year 2009 traffic forecast upwards from -3.8 percent to -2.7 percent due to better than expected light vehicle traffic," it says.

Atlantia is up 2 percent at 14.73 euros, outperforming a 0.8 percent fall in the FTSE MIB .

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Reuters Messaging rm://nigel.tutt.reuters.com@reuters.net