Financials take the hit on quiet day

THE Irish market dwindled around par value on a quiet day of trading, with the main financials taking punishment at the hands of widespread profit-taking.

The ISEQ closed marginally up 8.94 to 5636.46.

AIB shed 6c to €13.36 due to investors cashing in. Bank of Ireland echoed this trend losing 5c to finish at €11.30.

Irish Life & Permanent were flat losing 2% on their share price to dip 23c to €12.87.

In construction, CRH helped to limit the losses in the index edging forward 15c to €19.25, Grafton gained 4c to €7.47 while Kingspan advanced to €5.70, up 7c.

No-frills airline Ryanair struggled to make progress on the quiet day up 3c on €4.27. Elsewhere, luxury goods company Waterford Wedgewood was up 12.5% at 14c.