Market gains as peers mixed

European markets were mixed yesterday as US markets sold off slightly in early trading despite remaining close to all-time highs. The Iseq index finished 18.07 points better off at 3,865.69.

Irish financials had a very impressive day, with strong gains across all three Irish banks. AIB moved on 4% or 0.3c to 7.5c. Bank of Ireland was also up 0.3c to 16.8c, having hit a high of over 17c at one stage early in the session. Permanent TSB Group advanced 0.9c or 25% to hit 4.5c. Insurer FBD Holdings was off 11.5c at €12.39.

Stocks in the construction sector were mixed, with CRH and Grafton Group both giving up ground. The former fell 8c to €17.05, while the latter was 1c down at €4.88. Kingspan managed to buck the trend by adding 11c to €9.65.