Mixed day for financial sector

SHARES in Dublin declined yesterday with many of the heavy-weights losing ground to profit-taking. At the closing bell the ISEQ had dropped by 5.35 points to 6153.26.

In the financial sector, Bank of Ireland gave up 17c to €12.38 with two million shares changing hands. Market leader AIB climbed 2c to €16.72, while Anglo-Irish and Irish Life and Permanent fell 32c and 15c respectively.

In construction giant CRH gained 1c to €21.00 after a mixed day. Kingspan added 5c to €9.54 while McInerney dropped 6c to close at €8.70.

Elsewhere, Elan maintained its share price of €3.25 from the previous day following further news from a Sentinel trial on its suspended drug Tysabri.

Meanwhile low cost airline Ryanair declined 15c to €6.05.