Building insulation specialist Kingspan has agreed a £37.5m (€42m) aquisition in the UK despite Brexit uncertainty leading to a slowdown in that market.

Shares in leading betting companies which have been pushing into the US market because of tighter regulations in the UK, fell after the US Department of Justice called for wider restrictions on all gambling on the internet.

Irish exploration firm Petroceltic is expected to directly benefit from an anticipated increase of Europe’s importation of Algerian gas, being sought in a bid to counter Russia’s supply dominance.

European stock markets reacted badly to the resignation of the Royal Bank of Scotland chief executive, Stephen Hester, and the indication that central banks may end their support of economies.

The London market slipped below the 6,000 mark today after disappointing US jobs data sparked fears over the strength of the recovery in the world's biggest economy.