Equestrian: US-based riders get the chance to show off their horsepower to Ireland manager Robert Splaine in today’s $200,000 Furusiyya Nations Cup opener in Ocala, Florida, though Kevin Babington got in early last night when winning the 1.50m grand prix qualifier on Mark Q.

Equestrian: Thomas Ryan endured what would typically be a frustrating four faults in the World Cup class at Mechelen on Tuesday.

Consumers are being urged to shop locally this christmas — it’s the best way to support the economy and the ‘home team’.

Grafton Group has extended its mainland European presence by acquiring Gedimat-Ginion, a single- branch general merchanting business in Belgium.

ENGLAND: Guests at a luxury glass and steel hotel which has opened in one of Europe’s tallest buildings are being warned to close the blinds as some of them may get to see more than they bargained for.

The Grafton group is considering moving its listing to London in what would be another huge blow for the Irish Stock Exchange.

The hunt for value is now “the main battleground” in the country’s grocery sector as Superquinn is to be rebranded under the SuperValu banner.

Rescuers helped drivers to escape swift floodwater and used helicopters to pluck stranded people from rooftops in north-east Australia today after torrential rain flooded thousands of homes and businesses, killed four and forced thousands to huddle in shelters.

Markets across the world started the week on a positive note.

Grafton Group is targeting a further operating profit increase and “modest” turnover growth this year, but has warned that cost cutting measures could result in some job losses.

More than 4,000 people are vying to land a job in the world’s largest Titanic visitor attraction.

THE ISEQ index weakened 48.39 points to 2,444.52 yesterday in line with world markets.

THE ISEQ index gained ground for a second consecutive day, climbing 49.96 points to 2,464.66.

SHARES in builders’ merchanting group Grafton dropped by nearly 8.7% yesterday on the back of the company saying that recovery in its key markets remains slow.

THE ISEQ inched lower yesterday, down 11.27 points at 2,956.28, in line with other European bourses.

THE ISEQ dipped again yesterday, closing down 35.73 points at 2,940.56, as investors took profit from last week’s strong markets and there was a decrease in interest for riskier stocks.

Building materials and DIY group Grafton today posted pre-tax profits of €25.6m for full-year 2010, up 88% on the previous year.

DESPITE the usual low levels of trading for the year’s final full-day of share activity, negative sentiment governed any movement that did occur, with most of the major exchanges showing slight drops.

State-owned ESB today insisted it cannot reveal shortlisted designs for the redevelopment of its controversially-sited headquarters.

GRAFTON Recruitment saw its pre-tax losses increase almost 600% to €2.2 million in the year to the end of March 2009.

THE ISEQ index ended a three day losing streak closing up 27.65 points at 2,693.34 points. Markets throughout the world were relatively quiet as Wall Street was closed for July 4 celebrations.

THE ISEQ index closed down 43.45 points yesterday at 2,714.86 points as profit-takers stepped in to end the five-day rally by the Dublin market. News of weak labour figures from the US also sent the market lower throughout the afternoon.

RECRUITMENT firm Grafton reported pre-tax losses of €320,000 last year following profits of €2.2 million the previous year.

THE ISEQ index closed down 144.31 points to 2,495.55 yesterday as banking shares fell in line with other world markets.

FULL-year earnings at Irish building materials and DIY group, Grafton, are likely to be weighted towards the lower end of current market expectations.

THE fickle nature of the markets was again on view yesterday, as most major exchanges, including Dublin, rebounded.

Major turmoil played out among banking shares on either side of the Irish Sea yesterday as some British and Irish banks appeared to be in free fall during early trading, as a large scale sell off gripped the market.

The ISEQ index of Irish shares was down 32 points this morning to 3,787.35 by 11am.

The ISEQ index of Irish shares plummeted this evening 140 points to 4,205.67 following news that US investment bank Lehman Brothers have become the latest casualty of the US sub-prime mortgage crisis.

THE ISEQ finished the week at 5,626.15, up 48.03 points as the ongoing rebound of Bank of Ireland and a strong performance from Kerry shares eased the Dublin market marginally into positive territory.

A rallying cry was heard across the trading floor this morning as construction shares spearheaded the market's charge into positive territory.

IRISH share values lost further ground yesterday as fears about the housing market saw another €500m wiped off the value of the ISEQ 100 Index which was down by a further 0.64% in late afternoon trading.

The ISEQ index of Irish shares dropped slightly by 33.53 points to 7850.14 by 11am today.

The value of Irish shares sunk by almost 1.5% in a day of heavy losses on the Irish Stock Exchange today.

THERE was turmoil on world markets yesterday as the US Federal Reserve revealed it has pumped more than $190bn into the US banking system in the last few days to ease credit concerns.

The ISEQ list of Irish shares was up 11.8 points in morning trade today and is currently trading at 9119.72.

The ISEQ suffered a new-year hangover today, closing down 111.7 at 9426.07 as most of the top companies saw share prices fall.

The ISEQ dropped 13.19 to stand at 8691.71 by close today.

The ISEQ rose 51.34 to stand at 8756.42 at 10.30am today.

The ISEQ index of Irish shares got off to a positive start this morning, up 5.04 to 7961.62 by 11am.

There was little change in the ISEQ index overall today, inching 4.51 points up to 7394.64.

AROUND €140 million was wiped off the value of the Grafton group yesterday as its shares tumbled 7% after a major British rival warned of a slowdown in the building materials market.