STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-HeidelbergCement down, news of Merkle's death

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15:49GMT 06Jan2008--HeidelbergCement down as shareholder Merkle's dies

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Shares in in MDAX-listed .MDAXI HeidelbergCement (HEIG.DE) fall 5.2 percent, dropping suddenly from earlier gains, as traders point to pressure from news that German tycoon and majority shareholder Adolf Merckle has died.

Merckle's investment vehicle VEM Vermoegensverwaltung confirmed media reports of his death.

"The news about the death of Adolf Merckle is causing uncertainty among investors," says an analyst who declined to be named.

The Merckle family controls HeidelbergCement, generic drugs maker Ratiopharm, and drug wholesaler Phoenix.

"There are worries that Merckle's holding company might sell part or all of its shares in HeidelbergCement to pay off losses," a local trader says.