Financials lead market decline

THE ISEQ Index closed in negative territory on the back of the financials yesterday. The exchange weakened by 35.46 points to 7922.36.

AIB dropped 27c to €19.01. Bank of Ireland also was a loser on the day, down 25c to €15. In the second line, Anglo Irish fell 15c to €13.54 while Irish Life and Permanent crossed the line at €18.

There were mixed results in the construction sector, CRH rose a further 67c to 28.82. Despite figures from the National Association of Home Builders in the US showing a confidence decline. Kingspan Group gained 8c and ended at €12.28. Grafton Group was 13c weaker.

Other main movers included C&C Group down 8c to €5.45. Greencore Group gave up 12c following the decision to close its Irish sugar operation. The expected cost of the closure is €168m. Elan ended the day in negative territory at €12.22.