NEW YORK: U.K. stocks snapped a three-day losing streak as gains in Vodafone Plc offset a decline in mining stocks.
Vodafone Group Plc added 3.4 percent after reporting service revenue that topped estimates. Anglo American Plc shares rose for the first time in six days, thanks to better-than-expected profit and a promise to accelerate cost cuts.
Pearson Plc rallied for a second day, gaining 3.3 percent, after repeating its full-year earnings forecast. The education company yesterday sold the Financial Times to Japanese publisher Nikkei Inc.
A surprise drop in a Chinese manufacturing gauge threatened to worsen a commodity rout, hurting shares of BHP Billiton Ltd., Glencore Plc and Antofagasta Plc.
Diageo Plc fell 1.3 percent after saying the Securities and Exchange Commission is looking into its distribution practices in the U.S.
The FTSE 100 Index added 0.3 percent to 6,672.59 at 9:21 a.m. in London. The gauge is heading for a weekly decline. The FTSE All-Share Index rose 0.2 percent, as did Ireland’s ISEQ Index.
