Markets climb on positive US news

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

THE ISEQ index began the week with a slight gain of 5.22 to finish at 2,981.47.

World markets were boosted by US data showing a better-than-expected rise in manufacturing activity and a strong set of results from oil giant Exxon Mobil.

In the financial sector, AIB lost 7c to €1.22, Bank of Ireland fell 6c to €1.26, Irish Life & Permanent advanced 9.9c to €3.20, while insurance company FBD Holdings jumped 20c to €6.25.

In the construction sector, CRH dipped 5.7c to €17.46, Kingspan increased 23c to €6.15, while Grafton Group slid 3.5c to €2.66.

Ryanair increased its profit forecast for the year after posting a less-than-expected third quarter loss. The company reported a net loss of €10.9m for the three months to the end of December. The shares closed up 22.4c at €3.57.

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, February 02, 2010