Market closes up with late rally

A LATE surge helped the ISEQ index close 16.95 points higher at 4416.35 yesterday, having traded lower for most of the day.

Allied Irish Bank had a rollercoaster day falling as low as €12.00 before finishing 1c lighter at €12.24. Continued strength was seen from Anglo Irish Bank, adding 0.2% to €8.70, with nearly five million shares traded, while Bank of Ireland rose 15c to €10.72.

Construction group CRH advanced 25c to €15.85. Elan dropped 23c to €4.22 as investors nervously await news from the company about the filing of its annual report. Elsewhere Paddy Power gained 25c to €6.40 while DCC fell 30c to €10.35.