Market drops back into negatives

THE ISEQ fell back into negative territory following losses in the US market from further housing sector fears. The Irish exchange was 81c lower at 8,482.

The financial sector was 107 points lower at the closing bell. AIB decreased 28c to €18.965 despite announcing interim results modestly ahead of expectations. Bank of Ireland gained 10c to €14.05. Irish Life and Permanent strengthened by 21c to €17.96 and Anglo weakened by 33c to €13.37.

The main three construction stocks closed in the red. CRH plummeted 70c to €32.15. Kingspan was 86c worse off at €16.79 while Grafton Group tumbled 24c at €9.89.