ISEQ down

The ISEQ index of Irish shares was down 24.14 points to 3.268.05 by close of trade today.

In the financial sector, Allied Irish Banks bucked the trend, gaining 18c to €1.43. By contrast, Irish Life and Permanent lost 18c to €3.10. Bank of Ireland slipped 5c to €1.74.

There were similar mixed fortunes for the construction sector. Grafton Group (up 12c to €3.17) and Kingspan (up 15c to €6.95) both did well. CRH (down 60c to €18.51) endured the biggest loss of the day however.

There were some good gains elsewhere, for firms such as DCC (up 20c to €20.50), CPL Resources (up 18c to €2.70), Tullow Oil (up 16c to €14.78) and Kerry Group (up 13c to €22.87).

There were some significant losses for Paddy Power (down 25c to €26.15) and Merrion Pharmacies (down 12c to €3.88).