UK stocks surged on Tuesday as investors applauded a string of earnings results while awaiting further signs of progress in US-China trade talks.

At midday...

RBC Capital Markets today reaffirms its outperform investment rating on Consort Medical PLC (LON:CSRT) and raised its price target to 1200p (from 1060p).

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Credit Suisse today reaffirms its outperform investment rating on easyJet PLC (LON:EZJ) and raised its price target to 1431p (from 1206p).

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Deutsche Bank today reaffirms its hold investment rating on Aston Martin Lagonda (LON:AML) and cut its price target to 560p (from 600p).

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Citigroup today downgrades its investment rating on B&M European Value Retail (LON:BME) to neutral (from buy) and cut its price target to 405p (from 410p)....

Barclays Capital today reaffirms its underweight investment rating on Capital & Counties Properties PLC (LON:CAPC) and raised its price target to 230p (from 215p).

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Barclays Capital today reaffirms its equal weight investment rating on Diploma PLC (LON:DPLM) and raised its price target to 1500p (from 1420p).

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JP Morgan Cazenove today downgrades its investment rating on Diploma PLC (LON:DPLM) to neutral (from overweight) and cut its price target to 1730p (from 1760p)....

RBC Capital Markets today reaffirms its outperform investment rating on WH Smith PLC (LON:SMWH) and raised its price target to 2600p (from 2400p).

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