Today's bombings of commuter trains in Spain's capital Madrid helped send the FTSE 100 index down 100.10 points to 4,445.20 by the close - the biggest one-day drop in almost a year.
Royal & Sun Alliance led the rout, shedding 16.25p to 88.75p as insurers across Europe got hammered by markets expecting payout costs to rise. R&SA earlier this morning fell after reporting losses linked to increased provisions for workers compensation payouts in the US. It was also hit by publication of the Treasury Select Committee report criticising the industry for its handling of endowments. Friends Provident fell 8.5p to145.75p, Aviva fell 25.25p to 542p, Legal & General fell 4.5p to 97p. British Airways dropped 24.5p to 284.5p after stating its costs will continue rising fast o...
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