** STOXX basic resources index .SXPP falls 1.5%, the
second biggest faller among STOXX 600 .STOXX , as China's
imports and exports data fell more than expected in July,
pointing to slower trade activity
** Chinese exports contract 14.5% in July year-on-year, a
steeper than expected decline of 12.5%, while imports drop 12.4%
** "The much hoped for recovery in Chinese activity has not
materialised, dragging on miners and resources linked stocks",
Stuart Cole, chief macro economist at Equiti Capital says
** "Not only does this remove a large source of demand for
raw materials, etc., it also paints a worrying picture of
slowing global growth as China was such a key player in the
global markets", Cole adds
** The index touches its lowest point in a little less than
a month, heading for a biggest single-day drop in a week
** Among single names, Glencore GLEN.L , down over 3%, is
the biggest drag on the index due to its core profit decline,
while SSAB SSABa.ST , Anglo American AAL.L , ArcelorMittal
MT.AS , Holmen HOLMb.ST fall around 2%
(Reporting by Matteo Allievi)
((Matteo.allievi@thomsonreuters.com))