Market slides for first day in three

THE Irish market fell for the first day in three, with the ISEQ index finishing 23.06 points down at 5300.82.

The financials performed solidly with Anglo Irish Bank leading the way. Following yesterday's AGM, shares traded as high as €14.50 before closing at €14.17. AIB was unchanged at €13.65, Bank of Ireland was steady at €11.77 while Irish Life & Permanent rose 20c to €13.90.

Ryanair finished 2c lighter. In the pharmaceuticals, Elan shed 28c after the announcement of its intention to sell 23% of its stake in the biotech company Glycogenesys.