Spanish stocks down 0.50 pct Thursday

MADRID, March 7 (Xinhua) -- The decision announced by the European Central Bank that it would delay an increase in interest rates and not inject liquidity until September led to the a fall in value of the Ibex-35 stock exchange on Thursday.

The Ibex-35 opened on 9,296.70 points on Thursday, but closed on 9,249.90, a loss of 0.50 percent during a day dominated by losses to the country's major Banks.

Three Banks -- Banco Sabadell, Bankia and Caixabank -- were the worst performers of the day, with Barca Sabadell seeing 7.25 percent of the value of its shares disappear, while Bankia shares lost 5.33 percent and Caixabank, 3.86 percent.

In contrast to the poor results for Banks, it was a good day for energy companies. Iberdrola shares increased by 3.52 percent, while those in Endesa and Naturgy rose by 3.29 percent and 2.80 percent respectively. Enditem