Financials down in light trading

TRADING on the Irish market was seasonally light yesterday as the European markets struggled to find any clear direction. The ISEQ index closed 30.08 points lower at 4387.45.

The financial stocks were weaker with Bank of Ireland leading the way, falling 10c to 10.30. Irish Life and Permanent eased 10c to 9.70 while Allied Irish Bank lost 1c to 12.79.

The construction companies had a mixed performance. Grafton Group gained 15c to 4 while both CRH and Kingspan lost ground. Other movements of note included Jurys Doyle Hotel Group, down 20c to 8.70, while IAWS Group advanced 5c to 7.95.