Market drops 200 points

THE Irish exchange closed in negative territory yesterday as the financial stocks remained unstable.

The ISEQ finished 200 points lower at 6,768.

The financial stocks finished 290 points worse off as Northern Rock announced approaches from potential takeover suitors were materially below last week’s market cap. AIB dropped 56c to €14.06. Bank of Ireland dipped 7c to €9.98. Anglo and Irish Life and Permanent declined 19c and 52c to €9.16 and €13.23.