Financials under pressure

A GAIN for the ISEQ index for a fourth consecutive day was not to be, as the market fell 5.74 points to 4183.22.

Pressure on the financial stocks in London was reflected in Dublin as the bigger banks slipped back. Allied Irish Bank was 5c off at 13.65. Bank of Ireland lost 10c to 10.30 while First Active fell 5c to 5.55. Anglo Irish Bank fell 5c to 6.86. Overall, the ISEQ financial index closed 47.98 points weaker at 8394.03.

Construction heavyweight CRH gained 27c to 12.40 on what proved a mixed day for the sector. Readymix added 6c to 1.26. Kingspan was unchanged at 1.78 while Grafton was weaker, down 2c at 3.48.