European shares ended slightly higher on Thursday after the signing of a preliminary US-China trade deal removed a degree of near-term uncertainty, although disappointing earnings dragged down London shares. However, packaging group Smurfit Kappa finished 2.5 per cent lower at €32.32, and the banks had a lacklustre day with Bank of Ireland closing 0.4 per cent lower at €4.63 and AIB down 3.5 per cent at €2.90, compounding ground lost in Wednesday’s session when analysts in Barclays downgraded the stock. Dalata Hotel Group was another faller, ending 2.2 per cent lower at €4.97. Kerry finished 0.5 per cent higher at €114.60. Oil and gas stocks rose, tracking a rise in oil prices.

Source: The Irish Times January 16, 2020 19:04 UTC