Market moves higher on low trade

THE market closed slightly higher following light volumes. The Irish exchange was 24 points better off at 6,177.

Financial stocks were mixed. AIB and Irish Life and Permanent were 25c and 8c stronger at €13.50 and €12.38. Bank of Ireland fell 8c to €9.42 despite confirming expectations of meeting low single digit growth for 2008 in a trading statement yesterday. Anglo Irish decreased 30c in share price to €8.50.

Construction giant CRH jumped 48c to €24.08. Kingspan was 59c lower at €8.45. Grafton Group added 4c to €5.83 while McInerney dropped 3c to 94c.