STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-UK's AIM index outpaces blue-chips
The junior-listed FTSE AIM All Share Index closes up 0.4 percent to outperform a 0.3 percent gain on the blue-chip FTSE 100 index.
The FTSE Small Cap Index rises 0.2 percent, while the FTSE 250 mid-cap index advances by 0.3 percent.
Sterling Energy (Other OTC: STGAF - news) closes up 2.5 percent after it says it has started drilling at its Ntem concession in Cameroon.
"The large prospect could be worth more than 500p if drilling is successful with little downside if the well is dry. We remain Buyers," analysts at Liberum write in a note.
Antrim Energy (Toronto: AEN.TO - news) surges 15.2 percent after it agrees to sell its UK subsidiary Antrim Resources to First Oil Expro for $53 million plus certain liabilities.
Reuters messaging rm://alistair.smout.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net