STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-UK's AIM small caps rise, outpace blue-chips

The FTSE AIM All Share small caps index closes 0.2 percent higher, while the blue-chip FTSE 100 index dip 0.3 percent and the FTSE 250 mid-cap index declines 0.6 percent.

Aircraft leasing company Aviation Plc also flies 8.8 percent higher after reaching a deal to sell two new planes and adding in a trading update that it expects revenues for the period ending December 2013 to be "significantly ahead" of the same period last year.

The bullish outlook prompts house broker Liberum Capital to increase its price target on the stock to 150 pence from 125 pence, while maintaining a "buy" recommendation on Aviation Plc's shares.

UK Mail (LSE: UKM.L - news) rises 5.1 percent after the mail and logistics company posts a 63 percent rise in first-half profits.

Investment trusts with exposure to Asian emerging markets, which have been knocked back by concerns about a possible economic slowdown in the region, fell on the stock market.

Aberdeen New Thai Investment Trust fell 2.8 percent, weighed down by a fall in Thai stocks which eased 0.5 percent to a one-week closing low.

The Fidelity Asian Values investment trust also declined by 2.2 percent.

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