Market round-up: Chinese manufacturing slump casts commodities adrift on FTSE 100

China manufacturing — China's manufacturing sector contracted at an accelerated pace in July Reuters

The FTSE 100 fell for the fourth time this week on weak Chinese and European manufacturing numbers.

Vodafone rose +2.80% to top of the blue-chip leaderboard after reporting second quarter revenue gained over last year and that the business continues to recover in Europe.

"We have made a good start to the year," said Vittorio Colao, Vodafone chief executive. "Our emerging markets have maintained their strong momentum and more of our European businesses are returning to growth, as customer demand for 4G and data takes off."

Consolidation in the UK gambling sector is continuing with Ladbrokes and Gala Coral agreeing to merge only a week after 888's takeover of Bwin.party.

"A tie-up between Ladbrokes and Coral would represent a seismic shift in the landscape as the combined group would dominate on the high street and they will have to convince the Competition Markets Authority that the tie-up will be a good bet for punters," said AJ Bell investment sirector Russ Mould.

The FTSE 100 fell -1.13% to close the week at 6,579.81p.

Mining companies fell again on weak manufacturing figures. Continuing declines in commodity prices are forcing Anglo American and Lonmin to each plan cuts to 6,000 jobs. Continuing concern about China's economy in the foreseeable future is leading to knock-on effects in related sectors.

FTSE 100 biggest risers