Markets down across Europe

THE ISEQ index yesterday closed down 24.68 to 2,803.19 in line with other European markets which fell back after an eight-day positive streak.

Shares were notably weaker in the afternoon as the American markets opened weaker after substantial gains on Thursday.

In the financial sector, AIB lost 1.5c to €1.72, Bank of Ireland was unchanged at €1.74, Irish Life & Permanent fell 13.5c to €3.16 after its mortgage arm Permanent TSB announced it has decided to hike its variable interest rate by a half a percent. Insurance company FBD Holdings jumped 32c to €6.62.