By Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- U.K.'s FTSE 100 ended a choppy session
slightly lower on Friday, with mining firms continuing their push
lower, while Vodafone Group PLC climbed after acquisition news.
The FTSE 100 index closed 2.41 points lower at 6,775.25,
marginally trimming its weekly advance to 1.3%.
Miners added the most pressure on the benchmark, building on
Thursday's losses that came after data showed factory activity in
China fell to a three-month low in August. Miners are sensitive to
news about the Chinese manufacturing sector as it is a major user
of natural resources.
Shares of BHP Billiton PLC (BHP) lost 1.4%, Rio Tinto PLC fell
1.2% and Anglo American PLC slipped 1.1%.
Shares London Stock Exchange Group PLC initially fell after the
company said it plans to raise 938 million pounds ($1.56 billion)
through a rights issue for existing shareholders to fund the
takeover of asset manager Frank Russell Co. But shares later
reversed and closed 1.2% higher.
Shares of Vodafone Group PLC (VOD) picked up 1.6% after the
wireless telecoms major said it agreed to acquire a majority stake
in Greek telecommunications operator Hellas Online for 72.7 million
euro ($97 million) in cash.
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