ISEQ down, Waterford Wedgewood busy

The ISEQ was down 17 points to 5266 just after 11.30am this morning on sluggish volume, with the exception of Waterford Wedgwood and Independent News and Media.

Investors were selling off their financial stocks. AIB shed 17c to €13.45 and BOI was down 8c to €11.55. Irish L&P was a gainer here, up 15c to €14.15 with takeover speculation still ongoing, despite denials from the company. Anglo was 9c lighter at €13.91.

Waterford Wedgwood saw brisk volume following releasing a trading statement which said margins slightly improved with US sales flat and a continued weakness in Europe due to the stronger euro. The company also said that it had received significant approaches for its All-Clad subsidiary. The share price slipped 1c to €0.24 with over 5.9m shares traded.

Independent News & Media was active, adding 10c to €2.10 with over 1.1m shares traded.

CRH regained yesterday's losses, helped by a positive note from Goodbodys this morning. The building giant was up 9c to €17.31. Greencore was a faller, down 10c to €3.30, despite signs of improving conditions in the UK bread business.