Allied Irish Bank gains 9c

THE Dublin market was lower in quiet trading ahead of the Christmas break yesterday. The index finished at 4019.39, down 9.92 points.

The banks had a somewhat off-day despite Allied Irish Bank adding 9c to 12.94. Lower were Bank of Ireland, down 12c at 9.60 and First Active 3c softer at 5.57. Anglo Irish Bank fell 10c to 6.75. Overall, the ISEQ Financial index fell 22.08 points to 7967.99.

Construction stocks also failed to make any headway, with CRH 15c off at 12.00, while Heiton, 2.05, and McInerney at 2.15 both finished unchanged. Positive was Grafton with a 4c gain to 3.44. Food stocks also declined. Kerry Group dropped 10 to 12.65 and Greencore slipped 6c to 2.63. Glanbia was off a cent at 1.45, while Fyffes finished a cent firmer at 1.32.