Markets update: ISEQ quiet, telecoms fall

The ISEQ is unchanged this afternoon after a mixed opening across European indices.

The ISEQ is unchanged this afternoon after a mixed opening across European indices.

Another profit warning from network supplier Nortel rocked confidence in the fragile telecoms sector.

Eircom fell 4 cents to euro 2.43 and ITG was off 40 cents to euro 6.60 as a result of negative sector sentiment.

Other technolgy shares had a varied opening with Iona surging euro 8.25 to euro 47.25 while Horizon Technology shed 14 cents to euro 4.30.

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AIB pared recent gains to fall 15 cents to euro 11.15 and First Active added 2 cents to euro 2.52.

In corporate news, Arnotts is unchanged at euro 6.60 despite reporting strong full-year results this morning. Irish Continental shares fell 35 cents to euro 5.75 after an AGM warning that passenger numbers are falling due to foot-and-mouth fears.

The FTSE 100 was down 82.2 at 5,645.1 on profit taking and new corporate warnings.

Defensive sectors outperformed as investors shied away from tech and telecoms sectors after the warnings from Nortel and Palm.

Cadbury Schweppes added 0.6 per cent, ICI put on 0.4 per cent and BP Amoco 0.2 per cent.

Telecoms equipment maker Marconi headed the blue-chip fallers, down 7.1 per cent after Nortel's warning. ARM Holdings was 5.4 per cent lower, Spirent gave up 5.1 per cent and Sage fell 3.8 per cent.