Wall Street ended an uneasy session mostly lower today and bond prices tumbled after the Federal Reserve suggested it might not be finished raising interest rates if they are needed to fight inflation caused by soaring energy and commodities prices.

Oil prices that soared to US$65 (€52.48) a barrel choked off an early rally on Wall Street today, pummelling the market's optimism about the economy in the process.

A near 6% hike in crude oil prices sent US stocks plunging today.

Nervous US investors overlooked strong earnings from Citigroup and a possible merger of two department store giants, pushing stocks substantially lower today after disappointing earnings from the technology sector.

Waterford Wedgwood's American arm has been ordered to pay $500,000 (€408,000) to the office of the New York Attorney General.

Estee Lauder, who started a kitchen business blending face creams and built it into an international cosmetics empire, has died. She was 95.

Liz Hurley appeared in New York last night to help launch a book in aid of breast cancer research.