STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-WSP higher after results

Shares in WSP Group (WSPG.L) gain 2.7 percent after the building and environmental consultancy posts first-half results, prompting Panmure Gordon to repeat its "buy" recommendation on the stock.

Panmure says in a note that the results are marginally ahead of its expectations at the adjusted pretax profit level, at 17.7 million pounds compared with its forecast of 17.4 million, and 23 million delivered last year.

Key positives, says the broker, include net debt lower than expected, as well as a decision to maintain the interim dividend.

"Unsurprisingly the overall trading outlook remains uncertain, but WSP benefits over many of its peers from having better diversity both by geography and industry," Panmure says.

Numis Securities and Arbuthnot Securities also repeat their "buy" recommendations on WSP.

Reuters Messaging rm://tricia.wright1.reuters.com@reuters.net