The FTSE 100 Index tumbled 1.7% today as commodity stocks fell and US unemployment claims gave investors the jitters.

The FTSE 100 Index tumbled 1.7% today as commodity stocks fell and US unemployment claims gave investors the jitters.

Shares in BAE Systems were 4% lower today after the Serious Fraud Office recommended the firm face prosecution over bribery allegations.

Barclays led another day of gains for the banking sector today as shares raced ahead after it confirmed it was unlikely to need to raise more cash to bolster its finances.

British Airways shares led a fightback for the FTSE 100 Index today as the flagship airline said it still expected to make a profit in the current financial year.

Dairy group and cheesemaker Lactalis McLelland today became the latest firm to admit its part in the price-fixing scandal thought to have cost consumers around £270m (€361m).

Supermarkets Asda and Sainsbury’s were today fined over their roles in a dairy price-fixing scandal thought to have cost consumers around £270m (€374m).

UK supermarket giants Asda and Sainsbury’s today agreed to pay multi-million pound fines after they admitted fixing the price of milk, cheese and butter.

Investors returned to banking stocks today as the London market ended a three-day losing streak.

UK dairy Robert Wiseman today said it was feeling the pinch from soaring oil prices as it revealed general interim operating costs had risen by 10%.

The creation of a £1bn (€1.4bn) dairy giant was in the pipeline today after two farming co-operatives announced plans to join forces.

Northern Rock was once again the biggest loser on the London market today amid growing fears that it would struggle to secure a decent takeover bid.

Beleaguered mortgage bank Northern Rock was once again under pressure today amid concerns that it could struggle to find a buyer.

Hotel and leisure stocks helped buoy the London market today after a multi-billion pound takeover deal in the industry drew investors to the sector.

Strong gains for mining, oil and banking stocks powered the FTSE 100 Index back above the 6000 barrier today.

Dairy operator Robert Wiseman raised hopes today that it had got to grips with soaring overheads and the recent shake-up in the supermarket milk sector.

The FTSE 100 Index racked up its fifth consecutive session of gains today to close at its highest level since mid-April.

The FTSE 100 Index continued its rally of recent days to hover close to the 4,900 barrier today.

Insurers and drugs companies were among the winners today as businesses cheered President Bush’s success in the US presidential election.

The FTSE 100 Index was in touching distance of last month’s two-year high today after George Bush moved closer to victory in the US presidential election.

The London market wrapped up a week of progress today by moving within touching distance of the 4500 barrier.

Shares in Dairy Crest crumbled 18% today after the loss of a major contract with supermarket giant Tesco left investors crying over spilt milk.

The London market made further gains today despite the majority of investors being kept on the sidelines by a lack of corporate news.

UK dairy group Robert Wiseman was celebrating its second major milk contract in as many days today after sealing a new deal with supermarket giant Tesco.

London shares were on the march for the sixth consecutive session today as oil prices continued to pull back from record highs.

The FTSE 100 Index approached levels not seen since early July today as lower oil prices and a strong finish on Wall Street boosted London shares.

The London market saw its recent bumpy run continue today following a negative response to full-year results from heavyweight Vodafone.

Milk group Robert Wiseman Dairies today posted a 5% hike in sales over the last year, helped by good trading from customers including Tesco, Asda and Safeway.