CHINA

Britain's leading share index hit a near four-month closing high on Friday after a better-than-expected U.S. jobs report eased concerns of the world's largest economy slipping back to another recession.

Chinese officials have ordered state-owned companies to meet with investment bankers to explore potential options to block BHP Billiton's $39 billion (25 billion pounds) bid for Canada's Potash Corp , according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter.

Chinese officials have ordered state companies to meet investment bankers to explore ways to block BHP Billiton's $39 billion bid for Potash Corp, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Britain's leading share index hit a more than three-week high on Friday as the market looks beyond a weak employment picture in the United States after factoring in a soft patch in the pace of the economic recovery.

Global service sector surveys highlighted a growing divergence in economic recovery on Friday with a pick up in growth in China and Germany but slowdowns in Britain and Spain and an expected deceleration in the United States.

Slim gains from miners and energy firms nudged the FTSE 100 slightly higher on Friday, but moves were muted ahead of closely watched August employment data from the United States.

Canada's Goldcorp Inc agreed to buy Argentina-focused gold miner Andean Resources Ltd for C$3.6 billion ($3.4 billion), trumping a competing offer from rival Eldorado Gold Corp.

Chinese and other investors have approached at least one big Canadian pension manager about a bid for Canada's Potash Corp to rival BHP Billiton's $39 billion (25 billion pounds) hostile offer.

China on Friday offered a rare glimpse into its foreign exchange reserves, confirming that they are overwhelmingly allocated in dollars, while a central banker said the mountain of cash could face depreciation risks.

In the global market gold witnessed no major movements as the traders are waiting for the US job data which will be released later.

The FTSE 100 is seen climbing 7-8 points on open on Friday, with moves seen muted ahead of closely watched employment data from the United States.

The dollar struggled on Friday while the euro and other higher-risk currencies were off the day's highs as investors braced for weak U.S. jobs data that may fuel more risk aversion.

The euro and high-yielding currencies held firm on Friday after an improvement in U.S. housing and jobless claims data bolstered investor appetite for risk ahead of key U.S. jobs data due later in the day. Still, reflecting simmering worries about a slowdown in the U.S. and global economies, the yen was locked near a 15-year high against the dollar and the Swiss franc hovered near a record peak against the euro.

Chinese and other investors have approached at least one big Canadian pension manager about a bid for Canada's Potash Corp to rival BHP Billiton's $39 billion (25.3 billion pound) hostile offer.

The government of Saskatchewan may consider changes to its potash royalty system, in the event of a foreign takeover of Potash Corp, the premier of the western Canadian province said in a television interview on Thursday.

Stocks rose and U.S. Treasuries fell on Thursday as U.S. data showed strength in the economy, but investors were mainly focused on Friday's closely followed U.S. unemployment report for economic clues.

German new car registrations in August were 27 percent lower than a year ago when buyers enjoyed the last of the government's car scrappage incentives, according to official data published on Thursday.

China is stepping up attempts to hamper BHP Billiton's <BHP.AX> <BLT.L> $39 billion (25 billion pounds) hostile offer for Potash Corp <POT.TO>, amid worries about future supplies of fertiliser it needs to rapidly boost food production.

Ferrari said it is recalling more than 1,240 of its 458 Italia supercars to replace an adhesive prone to melting after five reports of fire accidents.

Oil fell further below $74 a barrel on Thursday, weighed by record high inventories in top consumer the United States and investor caution ahead of U.S. employment reports.

Oil steadied near $74 a barrel on Thursday, weighed by record high inventories in top consumer the United States and investor caution ahead of U.S. employment reports.