Drinks companies drain FTSE

Beverage maker Rexam was the biggest faller with a drop of 4.96% to 517p, after it announced a decline in full year profits, while brewer Scottish & Newcastle also slipped 4% to end at 552p. Bradford & Bingley dropped 2.57% to 455.25p, closely followed by Land Securities Group which fell 2.4% to £22.39, while Whitbread slipped 2.32% to £16.85, although losses were limited by Lloyds TSB which gained 1.24% to 614p. Shire Group did its best to lead a rally with a rise of 3.72% to £11.15, following positive final figures, while Drax added 3.7% to 686.5p, Hanson climbed 2.9% to 835p, and 3...