U.K. Stocks Retreat, Paced by Antofagasta, BHP; Marks & Spencer Rallies

(Bloomberg) -- U.K. stocks fell, paced by
Antofagasta Plc, Xstrata Plc and BHP Billiton Ltd. as copper
prices reversed earlier gains in Asia.

Marks & Spencer Group Plc limited declines after the company
beat analysts' estimates. Next Plc also advanced. Unilever
climbed amid takeovers in the food industry. Wolseley Plc slipped
after U.S.-based Home Depot Inc. lowered its profit forecast.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News

Copper Falls in Asia as Gains on Chile Strikes Seen Overdone; Zinc Lower

(Bloomberg) -- Copper prices fell in Asia amid
speculation that gains on labor unrest at mines in Chile, the
world's largest source of the metal, may have been overdone.

At Dona Ines de Collahuasi, Chile's third-largest copper
mine, owners Xstrata Plc and Anglo American Plc exercised a right
to extend labor talks. The decision by management at the mine in
northern Chile delays the start of a possible strike to July 9
from July 3, union President Hernan Farias said June 29.


Read more at Bloomberg Commodities News

Xstrata lifts force majeure on Newcastle coal

(Reuters) - Miner Xstrata said on Tuesday it had lifted its force majeure on coal shipments from the Australian port of Newcastle following heavy storms earlier this month.

"We started lifting force majeure late Monday," a company spokesman told Reuters.


Read more at Reuters Africa

Norilsk says Norway regulator clears LionOre bid

(Reuters) - LionOre advised its investors last week to accept the
Norilsk bid, after Anglo-Swiss miner Xstrata -- which made
prior bids -- elected not to match Norilsk's offer. Norilsk and
Xstrata have also entered a support agreement.




Norilsk also extended the expiration time for its all-cash
offer to June 28 from Monday. LionOre is the world's
10th-largest nickel producer.


Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

Xstrata sets guidance on 2-part euro bond - banker

(Reuters) - Diversified mining company Xstrata Plc has set guidance on a two-part euro-denominated benchmark bond, a banker familiar with the sale said on Wednesday.

Xstrata plans to sell a 5-year euro bond yielding mid-swaps plus "low 30s" basis points and a 10-year euro bond yielding mid-swaps plus "high 50s" basis points, the banker said.


Read more at Reuters Africa

Xstrata extends expiry time on offer for Lionore

(Reuters) - LionOre Mining said on Thursday that Russian Norilsk
Nickel's takeover bid
for the company was superior to a rival, C$6.2 billion offer by
Xstrata.




Read more at Reuters.com Mergers News

European Commodity Stocks Advance, Paced by BHP Billiton, BP; Elan Climbs

(Bloomberg) -- European commodity stocks climbed,
paced by BHP Billiton Ltd., Xstrata Plc and BP Plc, after metal
and oil prices advanced.

Elan Corp. had the largest gain in more than three years as
Ireland's biggest drugmaker said its experimental Alzheimer's
medicine will move into the advanced testing stage. Societe
Generale, Axa SA, and STMicroelectronics NV weighed on indexes as
the shares traded without the right to their latest dividend.


Read more at Bloomberg Stocks News