European markets in positive mood

It was a positive start to December across European markets as most started the month fractionally ahead.

However, the Iseq bucked the trend to shed 1.69 points to close at 3,288.58.

It was a mixed day for the Irish financials, AIB and Permanent TSB adding 0.01c to close on 5.4c and 2.1c, Bank of Ireland fell 0.02c to close on 11c.

It was a bad day on the whole in the construction sector with Kingspan the biggest loser shedding 19c to close on €7.95. CRH fell 4c to close on €14.01 while Grafton rose to finish on €3.75 a gain of 3c.

Elsewhere, packaging company Smurfit Kappa Group completed the takeover of Orange County Container Group which has operations in the US and Mexico for €260m. The acquisition moved Smurfit 9c higher to €9.10.