Market falls back in line with trend

THE ISEQ fell 16.64 points to 2,926.53 in line with European and world bourses. ECB officials meeting in Helsinki left the benchmark interest rate at 1.25%.

European Central Bank president Jean-Claude Trichet signalled that eurozone interest rates are unlikely to rise next month but left the door firmly open for an increase in July.

In the financial sector, AIB was unchanged at 21.2c. Bank of Ireland gave up 1.5c to 23.2c. Irish Life & Permanent gained 0.2c to 13.4, while insurance group FBD Holdings was 4c weaker at 7.195.