The Market Comment

Shares on the Irish market traded in positive territory for much of Thursday only to slip slightly into the red at the closing bell. European bourses were given a fillip as June's economic sentiment figures for the region came in ahead of expectations. The ISEQ index finished down just 0.77 points to 2910.75.

Bank shares were mixed on the day. AIB picked up 0.1c to 93.9c, while Bank of Ireland eased back on 0.7c to close at 81.9c. Irish life and Permanent added 2.8c to 1.764.

The construction sector continued to show no definite trend as CRH and Grafton Group traded up with Kingspan edging into the red. CRH increased 11c to 16.26, while Grafton rose 1c to 2.87. Meanwhile, Kingspan dipped 11.4c to 5.359.

Elsewhere, bookmaker Paddy Power gave up 10c to 27.8 as the Galway racing festival continued at the Ballybrit venue.