STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Aquarius P. down; Seymour Pierce "sell"

Shares in platinum producer Aquarius Platinum (AQP.L) fall over 7 percent as Seymour Pierce repeats its "sell" recommendation on the stock, on read across from peer Lonmin's (LMI.L) interim results.

Seymour Pierce points out in a note that Lonmin's management say in Monday's results statement that they "anticipate no near-term relief to the current challenging market conditions."

The broker notes that Lonmin's management go on to say: "For platinum in particular, despite the moderate rise in price during the latter part of the period, an anticipated short-term improvement in jewellery demand coupled with investment interest is not enough to compensate for the ongoing weakness in automotive demand.

Seymour Pierce says it retains an "underweight" view on the Platinum Group Metal (PGM) sector at present.

Lonmin shares are more than 12 percent weaker.

Reuters Messaging rm://tricia.wright.reuters.com@reuters.net