STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-Soitec rises after margin improvement

Shares in France's Soitec (SOIT.PA), which supplies silicon-on-insulator wafers, rise as much as 15 percent after the company says its full-year operating margin will be less negative than previously forecast and that its financial structure is healthy.

Natixis analysts raise their rating for Soitec to "add" from "reduce" and increase their price target for the stock to 5 euros from 2.6 euros. The stock is trading at 4.201 euros, up almost 13 percent.

"Thanks to additional costs savings and further productivity gains, Soitec reduced its operating loss guidance," Fortis analysts write. "Still depending on a limited number of clients that evolve in a tough market environment, the current situation of Soitec is uneasy, but not critical considering a still solid financial situation."

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