Takeover bid boosts NEX Group as FTSE 100 heads for weekly loss

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* FTSE 100 up 0.1 pct

* Takeover offer sends NEX Group up 33 pct

* Berkeley falls after results

* Energy, financials buoy market

* FTSE headed for weekly loss

By Helen Reid

LONDON, March 16 (Reuters) - A takeover offer for NEX Groupsent the shares shooting up by almost a third on Friday, whilethe FTSE 100 got a boost from energy and financials stocksthough it was still headed for a loss on the week.

Financial technology company NEX Group rose 31percent after saying it received a preliminary takeover offerfrom CME. Speculation that the offer may trigger abidding war was likely to support the shares.

"NEX is an important strategic asset and therefore we wouldnot be surprised to see competing interest," said Liberum.

The FTSE 100 was up 0.2 percent by 0924 GMT, but wasset for a loss of 1 percent on the week.

"The next stage for UK equities does look a little bit moremired, and no matter what happens to the pound UK stocks couldwarrant a risk premium as we head into the final (Brexit)negotiations," said Gautam Batra, head of investments atMediolanum Asset Management.

On Friday, the FTSE was buoyed by strong financials andenergy stocks, but several companies suffered big share pricefalls after results.

Berkeley Group shares fell 5 percent, theworst-performing on the FTSE 100, after the housebuilder said itcouldn't increase volumes further due to planning constraints.

"The shares are looking fairly expensive and standing at thehighest premium to fair value in the sector," said Shore Capitalanalyst Robin Hardy.

"We would, at the very least, still look to be taking profithere and, as with the other larger cap house builders, reduceweightings."

Housebuilders Taylor Wimpey, Barratt Development, Persimmon also fell 1.3 to 1.9 percent.

Outsourcing company Mitie fell 4.5 percent to itslowest level since 2005 after it said it sees a tough yearahead, increasing its estimated costs from a turnaround plan.

Peer Capita also tumbled 4 percent.

M&A news also moved Old Mutual. Shares in theAnglo-South African financial services group dipped 1.5 percentafter a source said it was selling three businesses in LatinAmerica to China Minsheng Investment Group International foraround $300 million.

Shares in pubs group J D Wetherspoon fell 1.9percent after the company said it expects lower sales growth andhigher costs in the rest of the year.

TalkTalk sank to the bottom of the FTSE 250, down5.9 percent after JP Morgan cut its target price on the stock.

Overall, sentiment has turned more negative on FTSE 100earnings: analysts have overall been downgrading their earningsexpectations in past weeks.

(Reporting by Helen ReidEditing by Keith Weir)