STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-UK small caps weaken, Lamprell outperforms

The FTSE Small Cap index sheds 0.5 percent, in line with the midcaps, but lagging a 0.1 percent rise from junior-listed AIM shares.

Lamprell (LSE: LAM.L - news) , an engineering and construction services group that focuses on the energy sector, gains almost 10 percent after stating in a trading update that its 2013 results should beat current market forecasts.

Analysts at Liberum Capital keep a "buy" rating on Lamprell's shares but add that the company needs to win more new orders to confirm that its business is "fully on track".

Car dealer Cambria Automobiles advances 2.4 percent after reporting higher registrations and sales in a trading update.

"As hoped the business has got off to an excellent start with all three divisions maintaining the momentum achieved in the second half of last year, with strong new car sales in particular," joint house broker N+1 Singer writes in a research note.

Sabien Technology falls 9.7 percent to 32 pence after the wife of one of the company's directors sells 32,940 shares at 35 pence each.

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