AIB shareholders could be in for M&T stake windfall, say analysts

US top 20 bank M&T, 22.5% owned by AIB, is set to report a jump in operating profits by close to 17% next week.

AIB is the largest shareholder in M&T, with its €2 billion plus stake the cause of considerable speculation. Legendary investor Warren Buffet is the third largest shareholder.

Davy stockbrokers analyst Scott Rankin, among others, believes that if M&T uses a rights issue to fund further acquisitions then AIB may dispose of its M&T stake.