STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-UK AIM small cap index edges higher

The FTSE AIM All Share small cap equity index edges up by 0.2 percent in mid-session trading, in line with a 0.1 percent rise on the blue-chip FTSE 100 index and beating a 0.2 percent decline on the FTSE 250 mid-cap index.

Chocolate maker Thorntons (LSE: THT.L - news) rises 1 percent to 144.70 pence, after posting higher sales and sticking to its financial outlook, prompting brokerage Panmure Gordon to raise its price target on the stock to 150 pence from 116 pence. Panmure also keeps a "buy" rating on Thorntons' shares.

Pilat Media also surges 22.4 percent after it unveils a takeover offer for the company from rival Sintec Media.

Emerging-markets focused fund Ashmore Global Opportunities Ltd (LSE: AGOL.L - news) falls 3.3 percent, as it bears the brunt of another set-back on emerging markets assets on Thursday, with the Turkish lira falling to record lows.

Reuters messaging rm://sudip.kargupta.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net