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(Alliance News) - The following stocks are the leading risers and fallers among London Main Market small-caps on Friday.
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SMALL-CAP - WINNERS
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AIB Group, up 5.8% at 145 pence, 12 month range, 71.8p-236p. The Irish bank is looking to acquire EUR4 billion worth of Ulster Bank's performing corporate and commercial loans following NatWest's decision to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland. "This is another important step in reducing our non-performing exposures," AIB says. NatWest was up 1.6%.
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Permanent TSB Group, up 4.0% at EUR0.98, 12-month range EUR-0.41-EUR0.98. The Irish bank is in early talks with state-backed lender NatWest about potential interest NatWest's Ulster Bank unit's assets. Permanent TSB notes the announcement and comments on its aim to "grow its position in the retail and SME markets in Ireland and continue to be a force for competition".
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SMALL-CAP - LOSERS
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Senior, down 1.7% at 98p, 12-month range 41p-164.20p. Investec downgrades the engineering solutions provider to Sell from Hold.
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Paypoint, down 1.4% at 584p, 389-980p. Investec cuts the payments processor to Hold from Buy.
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By Arvind Bhunjun; arvindbhunjun@alliancenews.com
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