Pre-tax profit at insurance company FBD tumbled by almost 83% in the first half of the year as winter storms took their toll on the insurer’s business.

World markets edged slightly higher yesterday as USconsumer confidence data for August was up on July’s figures.

FBD Holdings today said it participated by way of buy-back in today’s placing on the market by KBC of its entire 22.1% shareholding in FBD.

The ISEQ had a good day today, buoyed by falling oil prices and a satisfactory day in London.