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.

Budget airline Ryanair put in a strong performance yesterday, soaring 25c to 8.05. Other positive movers included Arnotts, which was up 31c to 9.40.

Irish Continental Group 20c was stronger at 6.80 and Paddy Power 10c firmer at 5.10.

IAWS Group gained 12c to 7.82, and DCC was unchanged at 10.60 following the news that these stocks along with First Active are to be included to the Dow Jones STOXX 600 index from December 23.

Elsewhere, it was a mixed day for the construction sector.

CRH slipped 15c to 13.15, while Kingspan Group gained 11c to 1.85 and Grafton Group added 5c to 3.85.