Market closes in negative territory

The ISEQ Index closed in negative territory for the third consecutive day. The Dublin Exchange weakened by 53.97 points to 7518.74.

The financial stocks incurred losses and heavyweight AIB dropped 15c to €18.20. Bank of Ireland slipped back 9c with almost 2.8 million shares changing hands.

Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Life and Permanent both ended the day even at €12.85 and €17.15 respectively. The Central Bank released the euro-area lending survey; it expects strong credit demand to continue in 2006.