ISEQ steady after 25-point rise

The Dublin stock exchange had a steady morning with a 25.69 point rise to 7,913.09 by 11am.

Stocks were generally mixed as shown by the financial sector. Allied Irish Bank had a 16c rise to €19.05 after announcing today that it is selling its headquarters in Dublin for €377m to Hibernian Life and Pensions and property developer Sean Dunne. The buildings will then be rented back to AIB on a 20-year lease.

Anglo Irish Bank had a fall of 12c to €13 while Bank of Ireland increased their stock slightly by two cents to €14.62. However, Irish Life and Permanent slumped to a 35c decrease to stand at €20.35.

The biggest riser of the day so far came from the construction sector where building material group CRH climbed 48c to €29.11. Betting group Paddy Power also had a rise, this time of 20c, to stand at €13.70.

However, Irish Continental shipping group fell 20c to €11.50, while FBD Insurance were down 15c to €37.86 and pharmaceutical giant Elan fell 10c to €11.55.