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Belgium shares

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NORWAY: Belgian shares ended marginally lower but dealers said they hoped next week might see a small rebound as the summer holiday season came to an end and traders piled back into the market. Volume inflated by big block trades in retailer GIB.

Bel-20 index of leading shares ended 3.28 points, or 0.22 percent, lower at 1,471.88. Volume was 1.33 billion francs.

Two big block trades in GIB boost volume to 418,900 stocks. GIB ended 0.2 percent down at 1,318 francs.

Union Miniere closed up five francs at 1,980. Dealers had expected a bigger rise following sale of UM's Swedish zinc mine to Australia's North Limited.

Another dealer said he believed underlying sentiment was good and he anticipated a rebound next week.

"I think that buying interest will come back, especially if New York performs well Saturday," the trader said.

There was general disappointment at the performance of non-ferrous metals group Union Miniere. Dealers had expected it to show a strong rise following the sale of its Swedish zinc mine Friday to the Australian company North Limited.

The share ended 0.3 percent, or five francs, firmer at 1,980 on a volume of 28,450 shares traded. Several dealers had anticipated it would move to 2,025, but its day high was 2,005.

One trader predicted there might be a delayed reaction to the sale of the zinc mine and that UM could put up a better performance next week.

Oil major Petrofina was one of the strongest market movers, ending up 1.2 percent at 9,020 francs. Speculation that refining margins would improve in the second half of this year was bolstering the share.-Reuter