Market slips in late trading

THE ISEQ continued its upward trend for most of the day yesterday, only to fall back slightly at the final bell, closing down 0.58 points at 6095.43.

The banks had mixed fortunes with market leader AIB gaining 12c to €15.92. Bank of Ireland on the other hand shed 7c following reports that up to 2,000 job cuts may be in the pipeline. Anglo-Irish firmed 15c while Irish Life & Permanent slipped 20c to €13.90.

In construction CRH dropped 2c to €20.55. Grafton Group dipped 4c to €9.35, while Kingspan and McInerney rose 1c and 9c respectively.