Moderate gain for market

BANK stocks recovered some ground yesterday but failed to make much headway into recent losses. The ISEQindex added 91.70 points to 4,446.32.

Banks were predictable only in their unpredictability, as early gains were eroded by the mid session and were made back by the finish of trading. AIB and Bank of Ireland were 18c and 37c up at €7.28 and €4.89. Anglo- Irish followed suit tacking on 29c to €4.37.

Wolseley, a leading British builder released a downbeat report on the health of the British building sector. CRH slid 24c to €14.49, while Kingspan and Grafton Group gained 10c and 7c to €5.60 and €2.74.