Financials drive market downward

THE ISEQ Index eased 17.43 points to 5099.70, with another weak performance from the banking sector the main catalyst for the downturn in market sentiment.

Flat trading was encountered in the main financials seeing AIB drop 7c to €11.93. Bank of Ireland had the highest volume of shares changing hands at 2.7m, but this didn’t help the share price too much and they closed marginally up at €10.30, 3c better. Anglo finished at €12.50, up 2c.

Drug-maker Elan ended the day at €15.86, dropping 28c. Even on the back of solid FY03 results, Independent News & Media were off the pace at €1.95, 7c weaker.