Profit-takers push market lower

THE ISEQ index closed down for the second consecutive day as the financials suffered some profit-taking.

The market was down 59.56 points to 6830.05.

AIB shed 13c to close at €17.87. Bank of Ireland suffered a similar fate dipping by 15c to €13.10. Anglo-Irish and Irish Life were down 16c and 12c respectively.

Big news of the day involved a possible takeover of Eircom by Swisscom AG. The share price surged, closing up 20c at €2.24.

Elsewhere, construction giant CRH dropped 35c to €22.60. Pharmaceutical company Elan weakened by 15c crossing the line at €6.85, while Ryanair closed up 1c to €6.71. Finally C&C group shed 15c to close at €5.15.