Tough times for travel shares

Unsurprisingly, it was a terrible day for travel and tourism shares yesterday as the world’s equity markets responded to the shocking events in Madrid. The FTSE 100 index dropped 100.1 points to close at 4445.2 – its worst day since May 2003 – while the FTSE 250 lost 124.7 points to end the day at 6176.9. Just about every share in the sector lost significant amounts yesterday; British Airways dropped 24.5p to close at 284.5p, Eurotunnel lost 2.75p to end the day at 34.5p and lastminute.com closed at 209p, down 13.5p. Alpha Airports 72.5p NO CHANGE BAA 529.5p DOWN 10.75p British Airways 284.5p DOWN 24.5p Carnival 2475p DOWN 104p De Vere 408.75p DOWN 11.75p EasyJet 313p DOWN 5.5p Ebookers 438.75p DOWN 17.25p EuroDisney 29.5p NO CHANGE Eurotunnel 34.5p DOWN 2.75p First Choice 138.5p DOWN 6p Hilton Group 218p DOWN 8p Holidaybreak 575p DOWN 14p Intercontinental 518p DOWN 5p Lastminute.com 209p DOWN 13.5p MyTravel 15.5p UP 0.5p P&O 231.75p DOWN 5p Rank Group 312p DOWN 11.5p Ryanair 312.75p DOWN 5.375p Stagecoach 78.5p DOWN 4.5p TBI 65p DOWN 1.5p Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad