Hewlett-Packard's $25 billion takeover of Compaq and positive purchasing figures in the US failed to stir investors on the Dublin Exchange yesterday. The ISEQ index closed 5.13 points weaker at 5,751.71, down 0.09 per cent despite gains in London and in early US trading.
Of the leading industrials, building materials group CRH finished 45 cents weaker at €17.85.
The group's half-year results were ahead of expectations but a trader said a warning that market conditions in Europe were tougher than a year ago prompted investors sell. More than 5.5 million shares changed hands.
Other industrials to fall yesterday included the index heavyweight Elan, which closed three cents weaker at €57.47. Ryanair lost 17 cents to finish at €10.85.
Jefferson Smurfit closed two cents stronger at €2.45, as more than 1.2 million shares changed hands. Independent News & Media finished three cents ahead at €2.13 in thin trading ahead of its half-year results, published today.
Grafton continued its rise after positive figures last week, closing 17 cents stronger at €3.47.
Of the financials, Irish Life & Permanent lost seven cents to close at €13.37 ahead of results today. A trader said investors believed the stock was already fully valued.
The other two leading banks gained marginally. AIB closed a cent stronger at €12.46 and Bank of Ireland finished three cents up at €10.36.
But smaller financials lost ground. Anglo Irish closed 11 cents down at €4 and First Active eased one cent to finish at €3.52.
