ISEQ down as financials suffer

16/03/2005 - 17:36:23
The ISEQ index of shares fell back 61.87 to 6043.78 today as oil prices reached record highs when world markets reacted negatively to Opec’s decision to pump more oil.

Independent News & Media shares stayed unchanged at €2.29 as it announced before-tax profits rose 55% to €189.1m in 2004 from €122m in 2003.

There was bad news among the financials though, as Bank of Ireland shed 23c to €12.22. AIB shed 12c to close at €15.60, while Anglo Irish failed to build on yesterday's gains, closing down 3c at €20.14.

Irish Life & Permanent's share price plummeted 50c (3.5%) to €13.80.

Embattled pharmaceutical giant Elan remained in the doldrums, losing 22c to close at €5.45.