Market rises after confidence boost

THE ISEQ index closed up 79.39 at 7,470.83 after an increase in confidence following US Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke’s speech.

In a strong day for the financial sector, AIB jumped 22c to €18.65, while rival Bank of Ireland added 10c to finish at €13.70. Anglo Irish closed up 16c to €11.30 and Irish Life & Permanent also ended the day 32c higher at €17.80.

The construction sector had a mixed start but sector giant CRH rose 34c to €25.79. Grafton Group was up 9c to €9.84 and Kingspan also gained 55c to finish at €13.50.