UK stocks : European shares slip as investors cash in on recent gains

UK stock closing: European shares slipped on Friday as investors banked profits after a recent strong run, and some said it was vulnerable to a deeper correction the longer U.S. budget talks remain at an impasse.

The FTSEurofirst 300 closed down 0.1 percent at 1,133.36, having dipped 0.4 percent in the previous session following a powerful three-week rally which propelled the index to 18-month highs.

Trading volumes were light, at 81.6 percent of their already weak 90-day daily average.

"I think for the markets to be down in Europe today is probably a fairly good guide that they're a little bit tired.

They've had a good run and they're just beginning to see a little bit of profit-taking from the high levels," said Andy Ash, head of sales at Monument Securities.

European markets started the day on a mildly positive tack

after manufacturing data from China added to evidence of a pick-up in the world's second-biggest economy.

But gains were erased as data showed the euro zone recession is deepening as the region's private sector contracted for the 11th straight month in December.

And a key issue continued to be worries over the U.S. budget impasse, and whether the United States would miss a year-end deadline to avert the "fiscal cliff" of some $600 billion of tax hikes and spending cuts due to start in January.

A 6.2 percent rally off November lows for the index sends a strong signal that the market believes a deal will be struck.

But in seasonally thin trading volumes, any disappointment could trigger significant falls.

"Good news about the fiscal cliff is being priced in, hence the risk is definitely to the downside," said Andrew Milligan, head of global strategy at Standard Life Investments, which has 163.4 billion pounds ($263.4 billion) assets under management.

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