Market gains despite profit-taking

EARLY morning profit-taking led the Irish market lower yesterday as investors sought to consolidate Tuesday’s gains. However, as the afternoon progressed the ISEQ index rallied, resulting in an overall gain of 84.27 points to close at 4,500.30.

Among the financials AIB shed 4c to €9.00, while Bank of Ireland added 8c to €6.08. Anglo-Irish was the strongest performer on the day tacking on 72.7c to €6.45. Irish Life and Permanent was up 25c at €6.25.

In construction, CRH added 30c to €17.41 and Kingspan and Grafton Group followed the trend adding 16.3c and 19.5c to €7.48 and €4.08.