Market falls as interest rates static

THE ISEQ index dropped 19.95 points to 2,719.77 yesterday.

The ECB held rates at their record low level at its regular monthly meeting yesterday. In the US, new claims for unemployment benefits fell to a near three-month low last week, pointing to some improvement in the struggling labour market.

In the financial sector, AIB declined 3.8c to 40.7c. Bank of Ireland added 0.3c to 68c. Irish Life & Permanent Group progressed 7c to €1.56, while FBD Holdings tacked on 10.1c to €6.59.