Oil price drives back market

THE ISEQ Index fell back into negative territory yesterday amid soaring oil prices and further indications of a slowdown in the housing market.

The exchange closed down 35.33 to 9,375.30.

In the financial sector AIB closed down 5c to €22.20 having reached as low as €21.75 earlier in the day. Bank of Ireland dropped 10c to €16.15, Anglo-Irish shed 12c to €16, while Irish Life & Permanent gained 30c to €20.55.