Market slips ahead of budget

SHARES on the Irish market dipped slightly yesterday despite a continued rally from banks stocks.

As all eyes turn to Tuesday’s budget, the ISEQ index followed the trend set by other world bourses in falling 29.38 points to finish the session at 2,300.98.

Ireland’s two largest banks were chief among the movers, with AIB up 15c or 14% to €1.17 while Bank of Ireland added 7.6c to 88.6c. Irish Life and Permanent bucked that trend shedding 4.9c to €1.69.