Iseq:2,840.42 (+14.67) Settlement date:July 22nd
MARKETS ACROSS Europe experienced a slight bounce yesterday and Ireland was no exception.
Following Monday’s sell-off, the Iseq advanced 14.67 points, or 0.52 per cent, to climb to 2,840.42, broadly in line with its European peers.
“It generally felt better into the close of business,” said a Dublin broker.
However, volumes were light, lower than a typical summer’s day, with concerns over Europe’s sovereign debt crisis to the fore. As another broker put it, “people are sitting on their hands a little bit” until after tomorrow’s EU summit meeting.
Nonetheless, some stocks had a positive day.
Strong on the day was construction stock CRH, which added 35 cent, or 2.6 per cent, to climb to €13.95.
The airline sector was also on the up, with Aer Lingus one of the better performers. It gained 2 cent, or 2.9 per cent, to finish at €0.70. Ryanair was also in the black, as it advanced 6 cent, or 1.7 per cent, to close at €3.24.
Exploration stock Kenmare Resources almost reversed its previous day’s decline, as it gained 2 cent, or 4.1 per cent, to €0.60.
DCC was also ahead on the day, up 20 cent, or 1.1 per cent, at €19.00.
It was not all positive however, and food group Kerry fell back after weakness in the European food market. It gave up 88 cent, or 2.98 per cent, to close at €28.62.
Also falling back on the day was Dragon Oil, which lost 18 cent, or 2.8 per cent, to finish the day down at €6.00.
FBD Holdings gave up 10 cent, or 1.5 per cent, to fall back to €6.80.
Exploration group Providence secured a new €60 million debt facility yesterday, but still declined on the Irish market. It fell back by 13 cent, or 4.4 per cent, to finish the day down at €2.75.