Market down in line with peers

THE ISEQ fell a further 26 points to close at 2,904.73yesterday.

European shares fell sharply yesterday as investors sold off after Japan placed its nuclear crisis on a par with the Chernobyl incident.

Elsewhere, sentiment was also dampened after Alcoa, the largest US aluminium producer, said its revenue missed estimates.

In the financial sector, AIB reported results for the 12 months to December 31, 2010. The company posted a net loss of €10.16 billion compared with a net loss of €2.33bn a year earlier. The shares closed down 3c at 22c. Bank of Ireland declined 1.7c to 25c. Irish Life & Permanent gained 0.9c to 14.9c, while insurance company FBD Holdings fell back 5c to €7.45.

In the construction sector, CRH declined a further 23c to €15.97. Grafton Group was 3.5c off at €3.35. Kingspan tacked on 2c to €6.42, while Abbey was unchanged at €5.20.