Market falls as profit-takers move in

SHARES in Dublin succumbed to profit-taking as it resumed trading yesterday after the Easter break.

With little newsflow to boost activity, the ISEQ fell 16.06 points from last Thursday's close, to finish at 6097.38.

The financial sector lost ground. Anglo Irish Bank shed 44c to €19.60. Bank of Ireland and AIB slipped to €12.29 and €16.05 respectively, though on modest trading volumes. Irish Life & Permanent was steady at €14.00.

Construction stocks were also weaker on the day. Grafton Group gave up 15c to €9.20, Kingspan dropped to €9.30 while CRH was unchanged at €20.35.

Elsewhere, Pharmaceutical Company Elan lost 6c to close at €5.65, while IAWS advanced to €11.97. Eircom gained 4c to €1.96. Bookmaker Paddy Power slid 20c to €13.70, while Independent News & Media rose 4c.