Financials suffer as war fears grow

THE major European markets lost substantial ground yesterday as reports from Iraq indicated the war may not be as short-lived as had been hoped.

The ISEQ index continued the trend slipping 43.87 points to 4034.49.

Financial shares were major casualties as Allied Irish Bank fell 1.9% to 13.00, Anglo Irish Bank eased 26c to 6.40 and Bank of Ireland fell 14c to 10.18. Tourism stocks were also affected with Ryanair and Jurys Doyle Hotel Group both losing ground. On a more positive note, Readymix jumped 37c to 1.70.