Banking stocks gain in slow trading

THE ISEQ Index remained virtually unchanged yesterday despite earlier advances closing at 7596.31, up 0.02 points.

The banking sector finished ahead with Bank of Ireland gaining 12c to close at €14.25 and Anglo Irish adding 9c to rest at €13.02. Irish Life & Permanent climbed 15c to €17.40 while AIB added 1c to at €18.37.

CRH fell 16c to €26.45 after rejecting claims it unlawfully bought shares in Spanish cement firm Uniland. Grafton also fell 10c to €9.35 and Kingspan was up 1c to €11.78.