Positive start to week for markets

INTERNATIONAL stock markets made an upbeat start to the week yesterday, seemingly putting the volatility of the past couple of weeks behind them and building on a strong close on Friday.

While a crackdown on short selling in some European countries boosted trading at the end of last week, early trading yesterday was positive ahead of today’s crunch eurozone stability talks between the French and German governments.

In Dublin, the ISEQ index was up by 1.14% to a 2,549 point close. Building materials giant, CRH — which publishes interim results this morning — rose by 7c to €12.16; while Kerry Group, which has its own results out tomorrow, jumped by 77c to €26.80. Other food stocks performed well also, with Greencore rising by 1c, Glanbia up 20c and Irish-Swiss bakery group, Aryzta up by 34c to €32.84. C&C was up by 8c, while support services specialist, DCC rose by 25c to €18.