EUROPE MARKETS: European Stocks Weaken For Fifth Straight Day

By Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch

LONDON (MarketWatch) -- Europe's benchmark stock index dropped for a fifth day on Thursday, after Chinese exports missed expectations and investors waited for the latest policy decision from the Bank of England.

The Stoxx Europe 600 index lost 0.2% to 339.22, after closing at the lowest level since May on Wednesday.

The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index was slightly lower at 6,717.72 ahead of the BOE rate decision at noon in London, or 7 a.m. Eastern Time. Analysts widely expect the central bank to keep policy on hold.

Miners were among decliners after Chinese trade data for June surprised to the downside. BHP Billiton PLC (BHP) fell 0.3%, and Rio Tinto PLC (RIO) gave up 0.3%.

Burberry Group PLC (BURBY) rallied 4.2% after the luxury-goods retailer reported a 12% increase in same-store sales in the first quarter.

Elsewhere, France's CAC 40 index lost 0.4% to 4,343.56, while Germany's DAX 30 index traded 0.3% lower at 9,776.53.

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