Market up despite widespread falls

THE ISEQ index ended a volatile day yesterday with a gain of 15.09 points to close at 2,518.28.

Markets plummeted as Greece admitted that it will not meet its deficit targets this year or next year despite strict austerity measures that have been put in place.

In the US, construction spending rose unexpectedly in August and factory activity expanded at a faster pace than expected in September.

In the financial sector, Bank of Ireland and AIB were unchanged at 7.7c and 4c. Irish Life & Permanent fell 0.2c to 2.8c, while insurance group FBD Holdings added 15c to €6.65.

In the construction sector, CRH advanced 25.5c to €11.90. Grafton slipped 1.5c to €2.65, and Kingspan dipped 6c to €6.19.

Elsewhere, DCC gained 22c to €19, after it announced it has completed the acquisition of Pace Fuelcare, following clearance from the British Office of Fair Trading.