ISEQ ends record rally against trend

THE Dublin market fell for the first day in six, on profit taking. After a record five-day rally, the ISEQ index eased 14.39 points to 6768.77, in line with the negative trend across European bourses.

In the financial sector, AIB was flat at €16.10 while Bank of Ireland was hit for 9c. Irish Life & Permanent fared better, up 5c to €14.65. Among the general stocks, Eircom dropped 2c with 4 million shares traded. Ryanair continued its recent slow descent, 4c lighter at €6.40.

Construction giants CRH dropped 30c, as US housebuilder confidence eases. Grafton and McInerney posted losses, while Kingspan bucked the trend up 6c to €8.38.

Shares in South Wharf finished a further 15c off the pace after a high court ruling on the use of its Ringsend premises. On the upside, drinks company C&C climbed 5c to €3.35 while Paddy Power was steady at €12.75.