Markets generally positive

There was more positive news for the European markets yesterday mainly due to reports circulating that Germany might be open to granting Spain a precautionary credit line from the eurozone’s rescue fund. The Iseq was up 26.30 points to 3,271.03.

It was another quiet day for the Irish financials. All gained fractionally, amid low trading volumes, with AIB closing on 5.8c, Permanent TSB Group 2.7c and Bank of Ireland 9.7c.

Shares in the construction sector rose for the most part. Kingspan was the big winner rising 0.41c to close on €8.50. Grafton also increased 0.7c to €3.54. For the second day in a row CRH was down a fraction to close on €13.87.

In other news, Smurfit Kappa rose 30.5c as its US Packaging Corp of America reported third quarter 2012 results which were broadly in line with consensus and guidance given by management.