Market finishes in negative territory

The Iseq continued the trend set from the previous week by finishing yesterday’s session in negative territory. The benchmark index of Irish shares declined by 14.7 points to 3,313 on the day.

In the financial sector all three listed Irish banks were in the red, with both Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB dropping 0.2c to 11.5c and 2.1c respectively. AIB was 0.3c weaker at 5c. Meanwhile, FBD Holdings added 5c to €10.05.

Construction stocks were also weaker overall. Sector leader CRH gave up 10.5 to €14.31, Kingspan fell by 4c to €8.089 while Grafton Group declined by 7c to €3.57.

Elsewhere, Total Produce is to acquire an initial 35% shareholding in the Opperheimer Group (leading provider of fresh produce in the US and Canada) in Jan 2013. Shares in Total Produce advanced 1c to 55c as a result.