Quiet day as markets gear down

It was a quiet trading day yesterday, as markets geared down for the holiday season.

The Iseq ended the day slightly lower, shedding 2.58 points to close at 4,490.32, with very low volumes being traded. In the US consumer spending posted its largest increase in five months in November, reinforcing suggestions of sustained strength in the economy.

It was a mixed day in the financial sector, AIB fell 0.1c to 11.5c, Permanent TSB added 0.1c to 4.3c, while Bank of Ireland remained at 26.1c.