ISEQ index hits highest this year

SHARES on the Irish market were in the red for most of the day’s trading, but the ISEQ index nudged ahead at the end of the day, closing 14.15 points stronger at 5661.53, a new year high.

The financial stocks were mixed. Anglo Irish Bank added 15c to €14.85, while Bank of Ireland lost a cent to €11.34 though on modest trading volumes.

Allied Irish Bank gained 5c to €13.50, while Irish Life & Permanent strengthened to €12.90. In construction, CRH advanced 15c to €19.55, Kingspan slipped to €5.75 while McInerney Holdings lost 12c to €5.78.