A minor up-tick for Irish market

THE trading week drew to a close yesterday ahead of the bank holiday weekend with the Irish market seeing a minor up-tick. The ISEQ index tacked on 31.31 points to finish at 2,722.52.

The principal Irish banks were all amongst the leading movers on the day with AIB adding 7.2c to €1.35. Bank of Ireland and Irish Life and Permanent followed suit, moving on 14c and 8c respectively to end the session at €1.70 and €3.37.

The construction sector witnessed a mixed day with Grafton Group improving 11.4c to €2.794. CRH added 18c to €16.60 as further evidence of a possible stabilising in the US housing market came to light in the April figures. Kingspan shed 7c to €4.63.