Financial sector leads market retreat

THE ISEQ index fell yesterday as the financial sector lead the downward slide. The Dublin Exchange finished down 56.88 points at 6598.10.

The financials dropped 106.11 points on the day with AIB losing 20c to close at €17.20 and Bank of Ireland shedding 19c to cross the line at €12.61. Irish Life & Permanent gained ground, up 5c to €15.00 while Anglo eked out a modest gain on the day, up 1c to €10.89.

In construction, CRH gained 8c to finish at €21.80, while Kingspan remained steady at €10.75. Grafton fell 20c to €8.38.