Construction stocks boost market

THE Irish market rebounded as the construction and banking stocks found favour with investors. The ISEQ index jumped 101.92 points to finish at 8006.79.

The financial sector saw an overall increase of 205.73 points with AIB and Bank of Ireland charging ahead, up 29c and 23c. Anglo Irish added 10c to €13.30 with over 2.5 million shares changing hands while Irish Life and Permanent surged 45c to €19.80.

A similar story in construction left giant CRH 68c stronger at €28.50 while Kingspan closed unchanged at €12.60. Grafton group gave up 3c to €10.59.

Elsewhere, Pharmaceutical company Elan which together with Biogen announced that it will resume clinical trials on multiple sclerosis drug Tysabri, gained 23c to finish at €12.05. Food stock IAWS gained 8c on the day while fruit importer Fyffes also strengthened, up 7c to €2.24.