STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-UK small caps close 0.4 percent higher

STOCKS NEWS Reuters Results diary

Stocks on the move [HOT-RTRS] Real-time Equity News [E] [WEU/EQUITY]

16:48GMT 25March2009-UK small caps close 0.4 percent higher

-----------------------------------------------------------

The FTSE Small Cap index .FTSC closes 0.4 percent higher, outperforming both the blue chips .FTSE and the midcaps .FTMC, which end down 0.3 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively.

Air Partner (AIP.L) closes over 25 percent higher, topping the UK small cap index, after the private aviation services provider raises its interim dividend by 10 percent and says it is well placed to survive the economic downturn.

China-focused Griffin Mining (GFM.L), meanwhile, ends the session almost 8 percent weaker after saying it plans to make a C$27 million ($21.92 million) cash offer for Canadian base-metals firm Ivernia Inc (IVW.TO).

For more on Air Partner double click on [ID:nLP270762]; for more on Griffin Mining double click on [ID:nBNG480151]

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

15:00GMT 25March2009-Kingfisher, H&M, Raiffesen report on Thursday

------------------------------------------------------------------

Kingfisher FY (KGF.L)

Hennes & Mauritz Q1 (HMb.ST)

Raiffeisen Int'l Bank-Hldg Q4 (RIBH.VI)

Bourbon FY (GPBN.PA)

Bureau Veritas FY (BVI.PA)