John Laing, the giant infrastructure firm, said it is taking a multi-million writedowns on a windfarm it owns in Co Tipperary and in Germany because it estimates that the wind will blow less and generate less power over the next 10 to 15 years than it once anticipated.

Technology-based stocks took a battering today after a profits warning from bluetooth chip maker CSR.

Shares in British civil engineering firm John Laing were at their highest level in four years today following news of a potential takeover approach.