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.

U.S. stock futures fell, after a gauge of China’s manufacturing contracted and investors analyzed corporate earnings.

Global markets:

Nikkei 15,695.89 -125.07 -0.79%

Hang Seng 22,733.9 -348.35 -1.51%

Shanghai Composite 2,042.18 -9.57 -0.47%

FTSE 6,801.51 -24.82 -0.36%

CAC 4,307.92 -17.06 -0.39%

DAX 9,657.13 -62.98 -0.65%

Crude oil $96.97 (+0.25%)

Gold $1252.90 (+1.15%).

European stocks are mixed , and the Stoxx Europe 600 Index continues to trade near a six-year maximum. U.S. index futures and Asian shares fell .

Initially influenced the course of trading report on China . As it became known , a key performance indicator of China's manufacturing sector fell sharply in January , down to the level at the same time , which indicates a contraction of economic activity, which in the first place , was associated with a decrease in the volume of new orders . This was said today in the preliminary results of the study , which were released Markit Economics and HSBC Bank.

According to the report, the purchasing managers' index for the manufacturing sector fell to a six-month low in January, and it is up to the level of 49.6 points compared to 50.5 points in December . Reading of the index above 50 indicates expansion of the sector , while a reading below 50 suggests contraction activity.

Stoxx 600 added 0.1 percent. Since the beginning of this year , the index rose by 2.5 percent.

On the dynamics of trading also reflected data for the euro area , which showed that business activity in the euro area private sector increased significantly in January , when showing the highest growth in the last 31 months . This was stated in the study results , which were issued by Markit Economics.

The report showed that the composite PMI , which assesses the effectiveness of the manufacturing sector and the services sector rose to 53.2 in January from 52.1 in December , reaching its highest level since June 2011 . Economists had expected a rise to 52.5 . Index reading above 50 indicates expansion of the sector . We also add that the activity index for the services sector rose to a four-month high in January , namely to 51.9 points from 51 in December. Economists had forecast an increase to 51.5 . Meanwhile, the purchasing managers' index for the manufacturing rose to a 32-month high in January , reaching 53.9 points , compared with 52.7 in December. According to forecasts, this figure should make 53.2 .

Inditex and Asos shares fell 1.4 percent and 4.8 percent , respectively , after Goldman Sachs analysts downgraded shares of the company to the level of "neutral" from "buy ."

LEG Immobilien cost decreased by 1.1 per cent , against what Saturea BV sold its 25.7 percent stake in the German company for 42.50 euros per share . With this in mind , in Saturea BV remains only 0.5 percent of the shares.

Logitech shares rose 12 percent after the maker of computer mice, said sales rose to $ 628 million for the three months ended December 31 , beating the average analyst estimate of $ 594.7 million in net income rose to $ 48, 5 million, compared with forecasts of $ 31 million

FTSE 100 6,817.2 -9.13 -0.13%

CAC 40 4,328.78 +3.80 +0.09%

DAX 9,706.58 -13.53 -0.14%

Asian stocks fell, with the regional benchmark index heading for its first drop in three days, after a gauge of China’s manufacturing unexpectedly contracted.

Nikkei 225 15,695.89 -125.07 -0.79%

Hang Seng 22,732.65 -349.60 -1.51%

S&P/ASX 200 5,262.99 -56.78 -1.07%

Shanghai Composite 2,042.18 -9.57 -0.47%

China Construction Bank Corp. slid 2.7 percent in Hong Kong, pacing losses among Chinese lenders.

Hang Lung Properties Ltd., the Hong Kong developer investing more than $8.5 billion building malls in mainland China, declined 3.7 percent after posting a drop in underlying profit.

Insurance Australia Group Ltd. lost 3 percent after the nation’s largest car and home insurer lowered its growth forecast for gross premiums.

Nikkei 225 15,820.96 +25.00 +0.16%

S&P/ASX 200 5,319.77 -11.70 -0.22%

Shanghai Composite 2,051.75 +43.44 +2.16%

FTSE 100 6,826.33 -7.93 -0.12%

CAC 40 4,324.98 +1.11 +0.03%

DAX 9,720.11 -10.01 -0.10%

Dow 16,373.34 -41.10 -0.25%

Nasdaq 4,243.00 +17.24 +0.41%

S&P 500 1,844.86 +1.06 +0.06%