Europe: Shares fall to 2-week low as commodity stocks drop

[LONDON] European shares slipped for a third straight day to a two-week low on Friday, with weaker commodities prices putting further pressure on mining and energy stocks.

The European mining index dropped one per cent after prices of copper and other key metals fell.

Shares in BHP Billiton, Anglo American and Glencore fell 0.6 to 1.1 per cent, dragging the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index down 0.6 per cent to a two-week low.

The European STOXX 600 index was also down 0.6 per cent.

The energy index fell 0.7 per cent as oil prices also came under pressure following a stronger US dollar.

Shares in Lufthansa fell 4.2 per cent after news that its chief financial officer is to step down, a surprise move that came as the airline is trying to trim its cost base.

REUTERS