The Iseq index gained 7.57 points yesterday to close at 3,286.20.
World stocks fell as investors cut back positions before the end of the first quarter.
In the financial sector, Irish Life & Permanent was instructed by the minister for finance to sell its life assurance business to the State for €1.3bn. The unit was put up for sale last year but failed to find a buyer as the eurozone crisis reached its peak. Share in the bank dropped 0.3c to 4.2c. Bank of Ireland slipped 0.1c to 12.8c, while AIB was dipped 0.1c to 9.5c.
In the construction sector, CRH decreased 30c to €15.38. Grafton added 1.5c to €3.075, while Kingspan fell 12.5c to €7.85.
In other news, Kenmare Resources posted 2011 revenues that were up 83% on 2010, with most of the increase driven by the 140% growth in zircon prices. Shares in the company advanced 4.4c to 62c.