AIB, Bank of Ireland and Ryanair led the slide, falling 2.2 per cent, 2.9 per cent and 2 per cent respectively. The blue-chip Euro Stoxx 50 index fell 3.8 per cent, while the German Dax retreated 4 per cent. Euro-area inflation unexpectedly quickened, backing the European Central Bank’s caution on interest rates, particularly as the war in Iran sends energy prices surging. Elsewhere, Zurich Insurance Group fell 7.3 per cent after starting a $5 billion capital raise to finance bid for insurer Beazley. Technology stocks fell 1.5 per cent, with Nvidia slipping ​1.7 per cent, after gaining in the previous session.

Source: The Irish Times March 04, 2026 02:56 UTC