Market trades strongly

THE Irish market advanced yesterday taking its lead from strong trading in New York on Tuesday after the federal reserve decided to keep US rates on hold.

The ISEQ index gained for the fourth day in succession, adding 15.77 points to close at 4755.66.

In the construction sector, CRH rose 20c to 15.80 after positive results from a French peer, Cie de Saint-Gobain, indicated a rising demand for building materials in both the US and Europe. Financial stocks all moved higher. Irish Life & Permanent rose 30c to 12.15, Bank of Ireland climbed 11c to 10.53 and Allied Irish Bank finished 6c firmer. Elsewhere Ryanair broke through the 7Euro mark for the first time since January 2003, closing at 7.03.