Profit-taking hits market

THE Irish market finished in the red yesterday, with profit taking in the banking stocks weighing on the index. The ISEQ slid 51.02 points to 7899.81 at the closing bell.

The financial sector bore the brunt of the sell-off yesterday with AIB and Bank of Ireland both lighter, down 27c and 21c. Anglo Irish fell back 25c to €13.45 while Irish Life and Permanent nudged 5c higher to €18.40.

In construction, CRH rose 5c to €27.80 while Kingspan jumped 15c to €12.10. Grafton Group climbed 5c ahead of 2005 full-year results due today.