Market makes slight advance

THE ISEQ index added 5.01 points to 2,870.84 yesterday. European stocks fell slightly, as concerns about the eurozone increased ahead of debt auctions next week and US data showed far fewer jobs were created in December than forecast.

However, the unemployment rate fell to 9.4%, the lowest since May 2009, from 9.8% in November.

In the financial sector, AIB slipped 1.4c to 27.2c. Bank of Ireland shed 0.2c to 33.2c. Irish Life & Permanent declined 5.8c to 87.2c, while insurance group FBD Holdings bucked the trend with a gain of 5c to €6.35.

In the construction sector, CRH decreased 9c to €14.30. Grafton Group moved on 0.1c to €3.30. Kingspan added 4.9c to €7.61, while housebuilder Abbey Plc was unchanged at €5.25.