Profit-taking hits financials

THE ISEQ index fell yesterday as the banks suffered from profit-taking. The Dublin Exchange closed down 16.68 points to 6883.85.

Bank of Ireland closed weaker, down 15c to €13.05. AIB lost 17c to €17.82. Anglo Irish slipped back 10c leaving only Irish Life & Permanent to gain ground, up 5c to €15.20.

In construction, CRH shed 36c to €22.54 while Grafton fell 5c to €7.82.

Kingspan also dipped crossing the line at €10.25, down 3c. Eircom group had an eventful day closing up 10c at €2.30.

Ryanair climbed 9c to €7.47. Food group C&C dropped 10c to €4.92 while Greencore gained 12c despite EU sugar reforms being announced cutting the price of sugar by 36%.