European stocks edged lower early today ahead of key US economic data that could provide clues to rate cuts.
Earlier this morning, the FTSEurofirst index of top European shares was down 0.11 per cent at 1,479.65 points.
Among national indexes, Frankfurt's DAX was down 0.3 per cent, the French CAC 40 was down 0.14 per cent and the FTSE 100 down 0.12 per cent.
Vodafone was down 1.5 per cent at 143-3/4 pence after the Financial Timesreported that its board was set to meet to consider a proposed $13.5-billion offer for India's Hutchison Essar.
READ MORE
"When Vodafone has made enormous acquisitions in the past, it hasn't always worked out," a trader said.