Market down in line with peers

THE ISEQ index dropped 29.61 points to 2,844.89 in line with other European and world markets yesterday.

European shares slipped to a three-month low in the morning with market sentiment worsening further after the massive earthquake that hit Japan and on continuing unrest in the Arab world. In the US, sales at US retailers increased broadly in February as rising energy prices boosted receipts at petrol stations, but consumers also spent on a range of products in a sign of resilience in the face of rising fuel prices.

In the financial sector, AIB slipped 0.2c to 23c. Bank of Ireland gave up 0.1c to 30c. Irish Life & Permanent gained 0.2c to 80c, while insurance company FBD Holdings was down 0.1c at €7.54.