ISEQ down as most key players fall

The ISEQ index was down 28.75 points at 6153.26 at close of business today.

Iona Technologies announced a slight drop in profit for the first three months of this year, and also that Peter Zotto has replaced Chris Horn as CEO. Its share price dropped 30c (9.7%) to €2.79.

Ryanair was also down. On the day that rival Aer Lingus announced a 29% increase in operating profits, the low-fares carrier revealed details of a planned expansion of its Lubeck base in northern Germany. Ryanair dipped 15c (2.4%) on the ISEQ to close at €6.05.

Bank of Ireland dropped 17c (1.3%) to €12.38. Anglo Irish Bank was the day’s busiest share, closing down 20c (1%) at €19.57.

Irish Life and Permanent closed down 12c at €13.88. AIB was up 1c at the end of the day at €16.71. Its corporate finance division was named in the top spot of the Mergermarket league table of financial advisors for Irish transactions above €5m for Q1 of this year.

Kerry Group was the day’s biggest gainer, up 20c (1%) at €19.20.

In the construction field, Kingspan closed up 5c at €9.54, while the Grafton Group lost 1c to finish at €9.54.