AIB falls but market rises overall

SHARES on the ISEQ index advanced overall yesterday. It climbed 28.49 points to 7,807.95.

In the financial sector AIB gave up 9c to €20.06 after announcing plans for the sale and leaseback of 12 of its Dublin branches which are expected to fetch up to €80 million. Bank of Ireland shed 7c to €14.80 while Anglo-Irish and Irish Life & Permanent gained 30c and 10c respectively.

In construction CRH climbed 30c to €25.80 despite a decline in sales of new and existing homes in the US. Grafton Group eased back 5c to €10.25 while Kingspan added 3c to €13.98.

Elsewhere, pharmaceutical company Elan rose 27c to €11.65, Ryanair closed 4c lower despite a decline in oil prices in the US, Paddy Power dropped 5c to €13.65 and FBD shed 25c to €38.85.