Thirdforce confirms acquisition speculation

The Iseq closed at 5273.61 today down 23.48 points.

E-learning company Thirdforce saw its share price fall back somewhat to 40c after a sharp increase from 12c to 44c in the past week.

The firm issued a statement today saying that it was in talks on acquiring a private company which it said would compliment its business model.

Thirdforce - previously the Rapid Technology Group - acquired Electric Paper last year and also reported a 19% increase in turnover to €3.9m.

Bank of Ireland announced that it was continuing its buyback scheme.

Media reports indicated that either it or Anglo Irish Bank are in line for a possible takeover of British financial group Wintrust.

BOI closed at €11.66 down 4c while Anglo Irish remained static at €13.80. AIB was up 5c to €13.57.

Bookmaking chain Paddy Power was down 15c to €7.55. Earlier it announced that a mother of two from Roscommon who scooped €424,710.00 on a seven horse accumulator placed on Sunday would be presented with her cheque in Dublin tomorrow.

Ryanair fell back 16c to €7.43.

Airport authority Aer Rianta has pleaded with Siptu to call off its two hour planned industrial stoppage at the country's airports on Thursday.