Market down despite high rating

THE ISEQ Index yesterday closed in negative territory despite Ireland being placed fifth in the international super growth index. The Dublin Exchange weakened slightly by 14.82 points to 8003.4.

AIB dropped 1c to €19.26. Bank of Ireland closed at €15.40 with speculation that US billionaire Tom Flately is looking at investing in the firm. Anglo Irish Bank drifted 7c to €13.45 as Patricia Jamal retired as a director. Irish Life and Permanent bucked the trend finishing up 25c at €19.

Construction giant CRH was 30c weaker at €28.50. Grafton Group added 1c and closed at €10.80. Kingspan Group and McInerney firmed 10c and 6c increasing to €12.56 and €13.30.

Independent News and Media was €2.67 at the closing bell and is due to release its 2005 results today.