Shares rise on quiet trading day

WITH the US market closed for President’s Day, it was a relatively quiet day across Europe yesterday.

Shares in Dublin were up overall, with the ISEQ climbing 2.56 to 5043.60.

In construction, giants CRH dropped 7c, amid reports that the company is considering buying a 41% stake in Portuguese cement producer Secil. McInerney added 15c, ahead of today’s full-year results, while Heiton Group finished 2c stronger at €4.69.

The financials were steady, with AIB and Irish Life & Permanent rising 16c and 8c, respectively. Bank of Ireland was steady at €10.99, while Anglo-Irish finished 16c weaker at €10.99.

Elsewhere, shares in Elan finished in negative territory, closing at €6.95. Independent News and Media was solid at €2.11, as sales of the Irish Independent were helped by the tabloid version’s launch last week.