ISEQ slumps

The ISEQ-index of Irish shares has finally closed the doors on a miserable day for market trading as share prices experience a major slump in most sectors this afternoon.

The ISEQ itself dropped 109 points or 1.16% at 9269.64 while all its financial movers and shakers failed to rally investors.

The biggest loser, AIB plummeted 60c at €21.90, Anglo fell 32c at €15.95 while BoI lost 24c per share to close the day at €15.91.

IL&P managed to avoid such sharp downward turns but still shed 14c off shares at €15.51.

Elsewhere, the ISEQ-listed oil and gas exploration and production company, Providence, announced that it has been granted a new exploration licence in the Celtic Sea Basin.

The firm has finished its survey of the Blackrock oil discovery and the data reveals additional hydrocarbons.

Providence has agreed three further farm-out agreements with Dyas BV, P/F Atlantic Petroleum and Forest Gate Resources Inc. over the new Celtic Sea licence.

Despite the promising news however the company's shares failed to initiate much activity among traders and remained at 7c.