Irish market sees little change

The ISEQ index remained flat today, in line with many of its European counterparts, closing down about 0.1 per cent after a quiet session.

Bookmaker Paddy Power was the day’s biggest mover, with shares in the company rising €2.10, some 9.5 per cent, to close at €24.40. The stock was buoyed by news that the company is to enter into the French online sports betting market. It has secured an outsourcing contract to manage risk and pricing for PMU’s new online sports betting business.

Meanwhile, Irish financial stocks had a mixed day, with Irish Life and Permanent the best performer, closing up 1.2 per cent at €4.70.

Bank of Ireland closed down 2 per cent at €1.86 and AIB finished at €1.92, dropping 2.3 per cent.

The Iseq’s biggest stock, building supplies provider CRH, recorded a marginal gain and closed the session at €17.44 up 0.4 per cent.

Elsewhere, pharmaceuticals giant Elan closed the session up 2.4 per cent at €4.22, while United Drug jumped some 1.3 per cent to close at €2.38. Bakery group Aryzta AG closed at €26.37, up 1 per cent, and food and ingreedients producer Kerry Group had a similar gain, closing at €20.49.

Drinks group C&C dropped 2.9 per cent in the session and Dragon Oil was the days biggest loser, closing down almost 4 per cent at €3.71.