BHP Billiton, the world largest mining company, decreased 0.6%. China is the second-biggest market after Europe for the company. Anglo American, the second-largest, shed 0.6%. Antofagasta, which owns three copper mines in Chile, fell 1.5%.

Scottish & Newcastle lost 1.2% and shares of the largest brewer in theU.K were cut to sell from hold at ING Groep NV and downgraded to reduce from hold at Dresdner Kleinwort.

Oil and gold

Crude oil was little changed near a one-week low in New York after Iran released 15 British navy personnel, easing concern that supply from the Middle East may be disrupted. Crude oil for May delivery was at $64.35 a barrel, down 3 cents, in after-hours electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. In London, Brent crude for May settlement was at $68.55 a barrel, up 15 cents, in electronic trading on the ICE Futures exchange.

Gold was unchanged in London and traded at $672.60 per troy ounce, unchanged from late Wednesday. Silver opened in London at $13.56 per troy ounce, up from $13.52.

Currencies

The dollar was mostly higher against other major currencies in European trading Thursday morning. The euro traded at $1.3360, down from $1.3367 late Wednesday. The British pound traded at $1.9736, down from $1.9753. The dollar bought 118.74 Japanese yen, up from 118.67.