The ISEQ closed 43 points lower at 5,570 as equity markets paused for breath after recent sharp losses. A recovery on the Nasdaq this afternoon led by bargain hunters countered more bad news on the US economy.
AIB lost 27 cents to euro 11.11, Bank of Ireland fell below euro 10.0 again to close 5 cents weaker at 9.95 and IL&P finished the day 14 cents lower at 12.56.
Building materials supplier Grafton shed euro 1.40 as investors booked last week's gains closing at 31.10 down euro 1.40. Ryanair shed 45 cents to euro 10.49 in a weak market.
Disappointing US retail sales for February quelled hopes of a rally on the blue chip Dow Jones.
London shares ended another tough session sharply lower. By the close, the FTSE 100 index was 105.8 points lower at 5,720.7, a level not seen since December 1998.
Internet services group Cable & Wireless was the heaviest FTSE 100 faller today, dropping 138p to 545p or 20 per cent after issuing a cautious trading statement in the afternoon.