Market makes moderate advance

The Iseq index gained slightly on light volumes yesterday as the US celebrated Labor Day. The Irish exchange ended the first session of the week with an increase of 9.8 points to 3,170.59.

Financial stocks advanced overall with AIB and Bank of Ireland adding 0.1c to 5.1c and 8.9c. Permanent TSB Group Holdings gained 0.6c to 3c while insurer FBD saw a rise of 5.6c to €9.01.

Construction stocks had a mixed day with CRH and Kingspan falling into the red. The former gave up 2.5c to €14 while the latter shed 4.4c to €7.80. Grafton bucked the trend with a rise of 11c to €3.13.