Financial shares plummet

THE ISEQ index finished the week at 4307.67 points, 38.43 points down on Thursday’s close.

The financial shares dragged the market lower, with Allied Irish Bank leading the way, falling 41c to 13.83. Irish Life and Permanent dropped 20c to 11.70, Bank of Ireland slipped 22c to 10.60, while First Active eased 5c to 5.20.

Anglo Irish Bank gave up 16c to 6.68, ahead of its interim results, due to be announced next Wednesday. The ISEQ financial index closed 205.05 points lower at 8583.31.