Market loses further ground

THE ISEQ index closed down 33.25 points yesterday at 1,916.38 points. World markets were particularly shaky throughout the day after the Nikkei Index in Japan fell 1.2% to hit a 26-year closing low.

The main financial stocks in Dublin remained solid throughout the day after their rally on Friday. AIB moved up 2c to 36c, Bank of Ireland added 1.5c to 20c, Irish Life and Permanent fell 9c to 71c while insurance group FBD increased 6c to e6.16.

In construction, CRH weakened 84c to e13.22, Grafton Group gained 2c to e1.39 and Kingspan was 2c better off at e2.20.