Market hopeful on Mideast news

The ISEQ index gained 5.89 yesterday to close at 7,507.18, thus picking up where it left off on Friday, amid positive news-flow of a potential ceasefire in the Middle East.

In a mixed day for the financial sector, market mainstay AIB added 9c to finish at €18.93 ahead of half-year results due today, while Bank of Ireland shed 20c to close at €13.80. Irish Life and Permanent and Anglo Irish bank continued the trend, with the former gaining 25c to €18.05 and the latter closing down 3c at €11.42.

In the construction sector CRH dropped 15c to €24.98. Grafton remained steady to close at €9.97 while Kingspan slid 4c to €12.99.