ISEQ closes below 2,900 level

THE ISEQ index dropped below the 2,900 level for the first time this year, to close down 15.60 points at 2,892.52.

In the US, private sector jobs rose by 325,000 in December, well above the expected 178,000 gain. However, markets failed to take solace from the data, as concerns about the eurozone debt crisis prevailed.

In the financial sector, AIB was unchanged at 5.8c. Bank of Ireland remained at 8.3c. Irish Life & Permanent held at 2.7c, while FBD added 5.1c to €6.551.