China dragged the FTSE slightly lower today

The FTSE had a disappointing day.

The UK's main stockmarket closed down 0.11%, or 8 points to 6,688.62.

The index was led lower by mining and oil companies, which were hit with weaker than expected manufacturing data out of Asia.

China, the largest manufacturing nation globally, saw activity contract at the fastest pace seen in two years.

Here's how it looked:

The big losers were Anglo American and BHP Billiton, both down around 4%, while Rio Tinto fell 2.29%.

Meanwhile Rolls-Royce got a huge boost, up as much as 5.67%, on news that U.S. activist investor ValueAct had taken a 5.4 percent stake.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: This 1998 supercar could auction for $15 million