The ISEQ continued its weak opening to the week, ending the day down 86 points at 6,292 with financials and technology stocks weakened by further earnings warnings investor nervousness ahead of the Fed decision due tomorrow.
Bank of Ireland succumbed to profit taking after a strong run last week to fall 38 cents at 11.32 after earlier trading as low as euro 11.10 while AIB was 20 cents down at 13.20.
Kerry finished up 65 cents at euro 13.40 after Golden Vale accepted its takeover bid. Ryanair was down 39 cents at 12.06 as investors booked gains after yesterday’s strong results. A surprise downgrade by JP Morgan also dented the low cost airline’s share price.
Worse than expected figures from French IT consultants Cap Gemini triggered another round of selling in technology shares with Horizon down 20 cents to euro 1.70. Iona weakened by euro 3.00 to euro 39.00.
Speculation that the Fed may only cut US interest rates by a quarter of a point, weakened CRH which has substantial interests in the US. CRH clawed back earlier losses to close 30 cents lower at euro 19.70.
In London the FTSE 100 dropped almost 2 per cent to close at a 12-week lowas a profits warning from Merrill Lynch dragged banking stocks lower and tech stocks remained under pressure.
The FTSE 100 index was down 106.2 or 1.9 per cent at 5,555.7 off a low of 5,537.3.