Financials drag index down

THE Irish market fell for the first day in five yesterday, losing 79.77 points to 4351.84.

The ISEQ index was dragged lower by the financial stocks, which declined following a downbeat statement from Barclays, Britain’s third largest bank.

Bank of Ireland dropped 45c to 10.75 and Allied Irish Bank slipped 35c to 13.75. Among the second liners, Irish Life & Permanent eased 10c to 11.85 while Anglo Irish Bank finished 15c lower at 6.70. First Active remained unchanged at 5.30, despite the announcement that it is to sell its stake in Britannic Money.