STOCKS NEWS UK-Healthcare Locums gains on strong trading

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09:00GMT 13July 2009-Healthcare Locums gains on strong trading

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Shares in Healthcare Locums (HLO.L) gain 4.5 percent after the British health and social care staffing agency says first-half trading was strong on a growth in demand for qualified health and social care professionals.

The company's quoted run rate gross profit (net fee income) of 63 million pounds is consistent with analyst Brewin Dolphin's full year target of 62 million pounds and year end exit rate of 68 million pounds, Brewin analyst Michael Vassallo says in a note.

The brokerage, which rates the stock at "hold", says that as the year-end approaches, a higher rating would be justified if the company can keep on track with forecasts.

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Reuters messaging rm://kumar.alagappan.reuters.com@reuters.net

08:43GMT 13July2009-Mears Group up on contract win

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Shares in Mears Group (MERG.L) gain 1 percent, outperforming a retreating small cap index .FTSC, down 0.2 percent, as the British social housing services company announces a 200 million pounds, 10-year servicing contract from Brighton & Hove City Council.