The Dublin market ended the day in negative territory, but still managed to outperform its European peers.
The Iseq index fell nine points, led down principally by building materials group CRH, pharmaceutical company Elan and the banks.
Among the major stocks, the financials were the heaviest fallers, with AIB closing down 2.4 per cent, and Bank of Ireland shedding 1.4 per cent. Bank of Ireland announced yesterday that it is offering at least €500 million of 2 1/2-year notes and one analyst said this could have been looked upon negatively leading to a decrease in share price.
Irish Life and Permanent shed almost half a per cent to close at €1.52.
CRH which is one of the biggest movers on the Dublin market closed down 1.6 per cent or 20 cent at €12.30.
Grafton Group also found itself under pressure on the day slipping 1.7 per cent or five cent to close at €3.14, while Biotech group Elan shed almost 2 per cent to close at €3.97. The drop in share price followed news of a 2 per cent decline in revenues in the drug developer’s third quarter report.
Ryanair was again one of the busier stocks with 1.7 million shares changing hands in Dublin. The airline performed well on a down day across Europe adding almost one per cent to finish at €4.18. Aer Lingus remained unchanged at €1.16.
Kenmare Resources was also a star performer adding 5.5 per cent to close at 21 cent, while food group Glanbia also moved ahead adding 1.4 per cent or five cent to finish at €3.44.
Smurift Kappa performed well, closing up 1.1 per cent or nine cent at €7.63. Oil and exploration company Dragon Oil also fared well adding 2.2 per cent or 10 cent to close at €5.