Market gains on light trading day

THE ISEQ index moved up 18.69 points yesterday to close at 3,404.36 in line with most European bourses. Trading was relatively light throughout the day in Dublin, as investors waited for an update from New York by the US Federal Reserve on interest rates.

In the financial sector, AIB progressed 15c to €3.25, Bank of Ireland climbed 9c to €3.14, Irish Life & Permanent added 17c to €5.87, while insurance group FBD Holdings declined 32c to €7.68.

In the construction sector, CRH fell 9c to €19.54, Kingspan weakened 7c to €6.45, while Grafton Group gave up 3c to €3.67.