LONDON, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- The London stock market was weighed down by mining stocks after metals prices fell on Friday, and by midday the FTSE 100 index was down 16.8 points at 5,395.10, or 0.31 percent.

    British Energy shares fell 4 percent after failing to agree a 12-billion pounds takeover by France's EDF Group.

    British Airways rose 5.4 percent despite it reported a sharp fall in first-quarter profits because of rising fuel costs.

    Kingfisher rose 7.3 percent after it agreed to sell its Castorama Italy business to French DIY firm Groupe Adeo.