Shares fell more than 2% in Applegreen as the fuel and forecourt operator raised almost €47m in a placing of more than eight million shares — around 10% of the firm’s issued prior share capital prior to the placing.

Fuel forecourt retailer Applegreen has said Ireland and Britain remain its key focus despite acquiring 42 new petrol stations and Burger King outlets in the US, a move that significantly ramps up its US operations.