Oil worries hit market confidence

The ISEQ index fell sharply yesterday as international concerns about oil prices drove stocks lower.

The index closed down more than 97 points at 7,621.26.

The financial shares lost the most ground with AIB down 1.4% at €19.60 and Bank of Ireland down more than 25% at €14.10 following a report on Sunday that it could be in for industrial relation trouble over plans to outsource jobs overseas. Anglo Irish Bank was also lower at the close, down 1.29% at €11.51. Irish Life & Permanent edged up five cents to close at €18.85.