Poor performance from financials

THE Dublin market started the day negatively before levelling off in the afternoon to finish 5.83 points up at 4763.48.

The main financials had a poor day. AIB showed a decline of 20c to close at 12.38, Bank of Ireland had flat trading with a decrease of 1c to drop to 10.64. This performance came despite the news that recently posted first half earnings were up 7%, driven by mortgage growth and a recovery in its life business.

In construction, CRH increased in the latter period of trading to end the day at 15.70, 24c higher. This hike was largely due to one large purchasing order from an institutional trader.