Downturn as investors take profits

IRISH shares took a tumble yesterday as investors took profits, sending the ISEQ into negative territory for the first day in three.

The benchmark index closed down 64.37 points to 6654.98.

In the banking sector, AIB dropped 30c to €17.40. Bank of Ireland was 10c weaker after it completed the sale of its Bristol and West branch network for £150 million.