ADR Shares End Lower; Vodafone Shares Active

International stocks trading in New York closed lower on Friday, with the Bank of New York index of American depositary receipts falling 0.5% to 154.87. The European index declined 0.5% to 150.78, the Asian index slipped 0.4% to 153.65, the Latin American index fell 1.3% to 305.34 and the emerging markets index dropped 0.4% to 309.76. Among the companies with shares that actively traded was Vodafone Group PLC (VOD, VOD.LN).

Vodafone said it has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Greek telecommunications operator Hellas Online for EUR72.2 million ($97 million) in cash, expanding its position in the southern European country. Shares of the U.K.-based mobile giant rose 1.8% to $34.09.

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (SNP, 600028.SH, 0386.HK), or Sinopec, reported that its first-half net profit rose 8% from the year before on improved refining margins after Beijing introduced changes to fuel pricing last year. Shares rose 2.6% to $100.26.

A number of Indian companies saw their shares rise on Friday, after encouraging comments from the central bank and the government on the country's growth prospects. India's central bank said late Thursday that the outlook for the country's economy is improving and the country's gross domestic product would likely expand 5.5% this fiscal year ending March 31. Companies that posted stock price gains included Infosys Ltd. (INFY, 500209.BY), which rose 1.1% to $58.99, and Sify Technologies Ltd. (SIFY), which rose 1.5% to $2.02.

Write to Anna Prior at [e-mail]

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