A transaction had looked doubtful in recent weeks as AIB’s shares had slumped following US president Donald Trump’s tariffs announcement.

The State has cut its shareholding in AIB Group to 12.5 per cent

The State is set to sell €396 million worth of AIB shares, which will reduce the national stake in the bank to 57 per cent down from 71 per cent

As with all good investing, any strategy that involves making money from stock markets in 2021 must consider the economic outlook but I would argue that in of impact, Covid-19 may be further in the rear-view than some investors think.