Liberty leads a ding-dong day for FTSE

Liberty International led the impressive results, moving up 69 points, or 6.5%, to 1130. Inter-dealer broker’s ICAP took advantage of the recent strong market performances, finishing 28.5 points higher, or 6.045, to 500. A rumoured bid from the National Australia Bank resurfaced, sending Alliance & Leicester through the roof, it closed 63 points up, 6.03%, to 1107. Smiths Group, the medical equipment manufacturer, was down on news it expects similar profits to the same time last year, ending 29 points lower, or 2.8%, to 1008. The Daily Mail had a day to forget, 18.5 points down,...