CRH surges as market slips slightly

THE ISEQ index yesterday fell 36.18 points to 9,920.03.

Of the financials, AIB slipped 36c to €22.30, Bank of Ireland lost 22c to €16.63, Anglo Irish added 6c to €17.31 and Irish Life & Permanent shed 22c to €20.82.

Construction giant CRH surged 93c to a record €37.04 after April’s US new home sales increased unexpectedly, boding well for CRH’s US business. Kingspan's full-year profits beat expectations, but the stock fell 44c to €22.12.

Elsewhere, Fyffes issued a profit warning as a result of rising costs. The share price fell 9c to 88c. Ryanair closed 2c lighter at €5.38.