Market on cusp of 8,000 mark

THE Dublin exchange continued its positive momentum yesterday led by strong gains in CRH. The ISEQ index advanced a further 76.74 points to 7,994.21 having exceeded the 8,000 mark during earlier trading.

The financials were in the black overall. AIB climbed 10c to €20.30, while Bank of Ireland gained 14c to €14.97. Irish Life & Permanent jumped 32c to €19.57 with Anglo Irish adding 5c to €12.97.

In construction, CRH was the leading mover after announcing a 37pc rise in pre-tax profits for the first six months of the year. Shares closed ahead by 43c to €26.60. Grafton Group and Kingspan were also higher, climbing 26c and 15c, with McInerney also gaining 12c to €11.75.