European Stocks Drop on Concern Higher Rates, Oil Prices May Hurt Earnings

(Bloomberg) -- European stocks dropped on
speculation increasing borrowing costs and higher oil prices
will weigh on corporate earnings.

Retail shares fell after Tesco Plc, the U.K.'s largest
supermarket operator, predicted a ``tougher year'' because of
rising interest rates and growing competition. Air France-KLM
Group and British Airways Plc, among the most sensitive to
changes in the price of oil, led travel and leisure stocks to
the lowest in more than two months.


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U.K. Mining Stocks Gain, Led by Shares of Vedanta; Tesco, Retailers Fall

(Bloomberg) -- U.K. mining stocks climbed, led by
Vedanta Resources Plc and BHP Billiton Ltd., after copper rallied
on concern strikes in South America will disrupt production.

Tesco Plc and William Morrison Supermarkets Plc led retailers
lower after minutes showed the Bank of England voted five to four
to keep interest rates unchanged. British Airways Plc rose after
Standard & Poor's lifted its credit rating for the airline. Man
Group Plc gained after assets for its AHL fund increased.


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European Retail Stocks Drop, Led by Tesco; Invensys, Thales Gain

(Bloomberg) -- European retail stocks fell after
Tesco Plc, the U.K.'s largest supermarket operator, reported
sales that missed analysts' estimates. Marks & Spencer Plc and
Carrefour SA paced the decline.

Invensys Plc gained after Citigroup Inc. recommended buying
shares of the maker of Whirlpool washing machines on prospects
for higher profitability. Thales SA rose the most in three months
after the defense company was shortlisted for a $2.7 billion
contract from the U.S. Navy. KarstadtQuelle AG jumped after the
retailer said it may sell shares in its department store unit.


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