Financials again drive market rally

THE ISEQ index was in buoyant mood yesterday for the third consecutive day closing up 74.66 points to end the day at 6142.36 due again to the strong performance of the financials.

In the financial sector, AIB had another positive day seeing their share price rise by 20c to €16.60. Rival, Bank of Ireland also contributed to the upward trend in the sector by gaining 26c to jump to €12.38. In the second line, Anglo-Irish and Irish Life & Permanent both rose on the day, both climbing 12c to €9.52 and €13.52 respectively.

Construction giant CRH added 65c to €20.65. Grafton added 1c to €8.83 and Kingspan was constant at €8.85.

Elsewhere, Ryanair announced the opening of new routes out of Stanstead to Poland and Slovakia resulting in a 7c pick-up in price to €6.12.