Global markets in negative move

Global markets were down right across the board yesterday as US non-farm payrolls, a measure of job creation and therefore economic growth, disappointed markets.

The figures were not bad enough to trigger the FED to instigate a third round of quantitative easing and not good enough to allay fears that the US economy is slowing down. The Iseq index followed its peers lower to the tune of 41.52 points to finish at 3,173.85.

Irish banks were broadly negative on the day as AIB and Bank of Ireland lost ground. The former shed 0.4c or 5.5% to 6.6c while the latter was 0.3c off at 9.6c. Permanent TSB Group was flat at 2.1c.

Construction stocks were among the market laggards. Market heavyweight CRH closed down 64c at €14.57. Grafton Group and Kingspan both followed suit, dropping 14c and 12.3c to €2.76 and €6.65.

Elsewhere food producer Kerry Group performed well, gaining 102c to end the week at €35.57.