Defence deal pushes FTSE higher

BAE Systems, Europe's biggest weapons company, has gained 2.85% to 370.25p after it agreed to supply Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the Middle East, with 72 Eurofighter Typhoon jets in a deal which could be worth £6bn. Imperial Tobacco, Europe's second-largest cigarette maker, has advanced 1.8% to £18.1p, while British American Tobacco has gained 1.24% to £14.64, after a US Court found cigarette makers liable for violating racketeering laws but did not inflict any major financial penalties on the industry. Elsewhere, PartyGaming, despite a good day yesterday, has fallen 2.2% to ...