ISEQ in red as financials stay down

Financial stocks failed to rally in Dublin today, spelling a morning in the red for the ISEQ index.

The index was down 6.38 points to 5603.95.

AIB was down 14 cent to €13.36, while Bank of Ireland was down five cent to €10.80. Anglo Irish Bank stayed level at €14.75 and Irish Life and Permanent was also level at €13.

Northern Ireland-based pharmaceuticals group Warner Chilcott saw stock surge 22 cent to €11.47 after the company, formerly known as Galen, revealed a second approach from an unnamed company after a similar announcement yesterday in relation to a consortium of private equity houses. Armagh-based Warner Chilcott has opened its books to both.

Builder Grafton stock fell one cent to €7.47 after the company announced that almost 54% of Heiton share owners had accepted Grafton's €336m bid for the company by the first closing date yesterday. Heiton's stock stayed level at €6.75 after the news.