ISEQ up as investors await US news

THE ISEQ index finished up 51.25 points at 3,826.18 as investors anxiously awaited news from the US on whether lawmakers could agree on a rescue package for the crisis-hit financial markets.

In the financial sector, AIB finished up 5c at €6.35, Bank of Ireland added 14c to €4.09, Irish Life & Permanent jumped 25c to €5.90, while Anglo Irish Bank gained 18c to €4.16.

In the construction sector, the value of highway construction spending put in place in the US increased by 8% in July.