The London market gave up its early gains today as a busy corporate calendar failed to excite traders.

Bid talk surrounding fund-management firms and a strong performance from Vodafone helped the FTSE 100 Index move further from the 6,000 barrier today.

The FTSE 100 Index continued its recent improvement after seeing world markets remain steady following North Korea’s claims to have held nuclear testing.

Fox’s Biscuits owner Northern Foods today agreed to sell its chilled distribution business for £51.2m (€74.8m) as part of a radical restructuring plan.

London’s leading shares ended their worst month for more than three years with solid gains today.

The future of Fox’s Biscuits will become clearer today when owner Northern Foods announces a review of its business operations.

THE Batchelors food company, which was bought by the Barry family and Bank of Scotland just over a year ago, recorded a fall in profits just in its last financial year.

BARRY’S TEA has entered a joint venture arrangement with Bank of Scotland’s ICC Venture Capital arm to spend €62.25m to buy Batchelor’s and Beck Smith, the Irish operations of British giant Northern Foods.