Markets slow on light volumes

Yesterday was a mixed day on European markets as stocks treaded water on light volumes. US stocks opened slightly higher as post-election jitters and fears of a fiscal cliff abated on news that consumer sentiment, as measured by the University of Michigan/Thompson Reuters, was at a five-year high in November. The Iseq index finished up 3.8 points at 3,294.57.

Bank stocks on the Irish market tended towards the trend, with AIB finishing flat at 5.1c. Permanent TSB Group moved 0.3c higher to 2.5c, while Bank of Ireland shed 0.4c to close at 9.2c. FBD Holdings climbed 45c to 9.45c as CSO data highlighted an increase in motor insurance policies this month and annually. On the claims side, which affects costs, the number of road fatalities were down year-on-year.

Construction stocks were equally mixed, with CRH adding 21c to €14.28. Kingspan shed 9.9c to €7.88, while Grafton Group remained flat at €3.50.