Market retreats despite C&C gains

THE ISEQ Index fell into negative territory despite strong gains in drinks company C&C yesterday. The Irish exchange finished the day down 10.6 to 9,574.12.

Financials were mixed with AIB jumping 24c to €22.40 and Anglo-Irish gaining 8c to €16.47.Bank of Ireland was 33c lower at €16.07 while Irish Life & Permanent fell 20c to €19.70.

In construction, CRH was up 12c to €34.10 despite reports that its Polish materials business has been fined for interfering with evidence that the Polish authorities were gathering on potential price fixing in the cement market. Kingspan gained 35c to €20.40, McInerney added just 2c to €14.20 while Grafton Group bucked the trend falling 18c to €11.32.