Mixed day for market

AFTER a mixed day of trading the ISEQ index closed slightly lower yesterday at 4113.44, a fall of 21.01 points.

Allied Irish Bank slipped 35c to 11.30. Bank of Ireland lost some of its recent gains, falling 22c to 10.68 while Irish Life and Permanent dropped 7c to 12.48. Anglo Irish Bank rose 10c to 6.14 and First Active added 2c to 4.70. The financial index lost 138.59 points to 7960.47.

Jefferson Smurfit gained 6c to 2.99 as shareholders approved a change in the company’s structure, paving the way for its acquisition by Madison Dearborn. In the food sector, Kerry Group dropped 17c to 14.03, IAWS slid 5c to 7.60, Greencore closed 2c lower at 2.70 and Fyffes was 2c firmer at 1.31.