Kerry fall sees ISEQ into the red

Agribusiness giant Kerry saw its share price slip today to drag the ISEQ into negative territory, falling 18.95 today to close at 6,647.73.

Shares in the Tralee-based food giant dropped 80c to €19.85 despite Kerry reporting a 8.3% hike in sales to €2.1bn, with profits up 6.2% to €160m.

Banking shares were mixed. Allied Irish Bank shares slipped 2c to €17.50 while Bank of Ireland shares fell 7c to €12.80 but Anglo Irish Bank shares edged 1c higher to €12.80 while Irish Life & Permanent shares climb 23c to €14.85.

Building materials giant CRH fell 63c to €21.65 today despite reporting a 20% jump in profits to €445m, after a sales surge of 13% brought revenue to €6.3bn.

Communications group eircom, which today announced details of the rights issue which will fund its €420m takeover of mobile operator Meteor saw shares climb 5c to €1.83 today. Eircom Group plc will hold an Extraordinary General meeting on September 15.

Elsewhere Ryanair climbed 9c to €6.64.

The most traded shares today were Kerry, CRH, AIB, C&C and Bank of Ireland.