Market drops in line with peers

THE ISEQ index broke its positive run to close down 79.99 points to 2,444.02 yesterday in line with other European and world bourses.

Markets fell as Europe’s debt crisis was brought to the fore by the surprise resignation of ECB executive board member Juergen Stark, amid rumours that it was because of a conflict over the ECB’s controversial bond-buying programme.

In the financial sector, Bank of Ireland fell 0.6c to 7.1c. AIB dropped 0.2c to 4c. Irish Life & Permanent decreased 0.2c to 2.5c, while insurance group FBD Holdings slipped 12.5c to €6.50.