STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-BHP falls, China talk seen priced in

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08:04GMT 16May2008-BHP falls, China talk seen priced in

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BHP Billiton (BLT.L: Quote, Profile, Research) dips 1.2 percent to feature among leading FTSE 100 .FTSE decliners as traders say talk that Chinese interests are looking to build a stake in the miner was priced in during the previous trading session.

The world's largest miner declined to comment on a report in The Australian newspaper that Chinese interests have asked a big Australian pension and investment fund to be a partner in a multi-billion dollar swoop on 9 percent of BHP's shares.

"Fully discounted on the day from yesterday's rally," says one London trader. BHP Billiton shares rose around 3 percent in the previous session as higher metal prices and consolidation talk boosted the sector as a whole.

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