Financials lead ISEQ increase

THE ISEQ index was slightly higher yesterday. The Dublin Exchange firmed 16.32 points, closing at 7,798.15.

Market heavyweight AIB gained 15c to €20.30. Anglo Irish Bank was unchanged at €12.05. Bank of Ireland was 10c stronger at €14.90. Irish Life and Permanent’s banking arm Permanent TSB and the independent think-tank ESRI said house prices rose just 1.1% in July compared to 1.2% in June and 1.6% in May. The company was 20c lower at €18.80 at the closing bell.

Construction giant CRH was 15c better off closing up at €25.80. Grafton Group was 2c higher at €10.37. Kingspan Group eased back 7c to €14.06.