BUZZ-Debenhams: tops midcap list on Christmas beat

** Department store chain Debenhams jumps 17 pct, ontrack for sharpest gain since 2009 and races ahead of the packon the FTSE 250 & after it beats analyst expectations inthe Christmas trading period

** Like-for-like sales for 19-wks to Jan. 9 up 1.9 pct, vsanalysts' view of 0.3 pct rise, helped by bumper online shopping & clever management of stock of winter coats duringunseasonably warm weather

** Co looks to have been better positioned than some of itspeers with regards to the weather, with reduced range of stockin weather-sensitive categories, Liberum writes

** Other fashion retailers Next & Marks & Spencer results over Christmas hurt as unusually warm weatherdeterred people from buying warm clothing

** Debehnams top gainer on Stoxx small cos index,with 85% of 90-day daily avg volume through in 40 mins (RM: esha.vaish.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)