European stocks advanced

European stocks advanced, paring a weekly loss, as Next Plc led retailers higher. U.S. equity-index futures were little changed, while Asian shares declined.

Services growth in China fell in December to the slowest in four months, data showed today. A purchasing managers’ index for the non-manufacturing industries fell to 54.6 from 56 in November, a report the Beijing-based National Bureau of Statistics and the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing showed. A figure above 50 indicates expansion.

Next climbed 9.7 percent to 6,065 pence, its highest price since at least 1988, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The U.K.’s second-largest clothing retailer raised its full-year forecast and announced a special dividend after holiday sales exceeded the company’s expectations.

Schroders Plc gained 1.5 percent to 2,643 pence, rising for a ninth day. Barclays Plc upgraded the asset-management company to overweight, a rating similar to buy, from underweight, which corresponds to a sell recommendation.

Remy Cointreau, the producer of Remy Martin cognac, slipped 2.2 percent to 59.11 euros after the resignation of Pflanz, who will remain in the company as development director. Pflanz will have responsibility for assignments that he has already started, Remy Cointreau said.

FTSE 100 6,728.36 +10.45 +0.16%

CAC 40 4,247.8 +20.52 +0.49%

DAX 9,423.15 +23.11 +0.25%