European stocks close

European stocks dropped from a six-year high as a report showed manufacturing in China probably contracted this month, and media and technology companies slid.

The Stoxx Europe 600 Index fell 1 percent to 332.69 at the close of trading, its biggest decline in more than seven weeks.

Preliminary data from HSBC Holdings Plc and Markit Economics showed Chinese manufacturing probably contracted in January, for the first time in six months. The initial reading of 49.6 fell below all 19 economist estimates in a Bloomberg News survey. A number smaller than 50 means activity contracted.

A separate Markit report showed manufacturing in the euro zone expanded this month at the fastest pace since May 2011, while output from services industries expanded for a sixth consecutive month. Both readings exceeded economists’ projections compiled by Bloomberg. A separate release from the European Commission showed that a measure of consumer confidence in the currency bloc rose to its highest level since July 2011.

National benchmark indexes fell in every western-European market except for Greece and Iceland. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 declined 0.8 percent, while France’s CAC 40 dropped 1 percent. Germany’s DAX lost 0.9 percent.

Pearson slumped 8.2 percent to 1,191 pence. The education company said it probably spent about 170 million pounds ($282 million) in 2013 to help focus its business on more profitable units. It had forecast expenditure of 150 million pounds. Pearson lowered its estimated savings to 40 million pounds from its previous prediction of 50 million pounds.

Inditex SA and Asos Plc fell 1.9 percent to 116.65 euros and 7.8 percent to 6,296 pence, respectively, as Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lowered its rating on the stocks to neutral from buy based on their valuations. Inditex, which owns the Zara clothing chain, traded at 29.7 times estimated earnings yesterday, more than the 16.2 multiple for a gauge of retailers on the Stoxx 600. Asos rallied 11 percent from the beginning of the year through yesterday to 107 times profit.

Logitech jumped 18 percent to 14.40 Swiss francs after the maker of computer mice said sales rose to $628 million in the three months ending Dec. 31, exceeding the average analyst estimate for a drop to $594.7 million. Net income climbed to $48.5 million, more than the $31 million projected by analysts. Logitech also increased its operating-income forecast to as much as $125 million for its full financial year, compared with $100 million previously.

Delhaize Group SA rose 7.2 percent to 48.98 euros, its largest rally in more than five months. The owner of the Food Lion supermarkets said fourth-quarter sales in the U.S. and in Belgium, its two main markets, increased 2.8 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively.