Market races ahead after CRH boost

THE ISEQ Index closed higher yesterday as CRH traded strongly. The Dublin exchange added 26.46 points to 8,531.83.

AIB climbed 9c to €21.15 while Bank of Ireland fell 5c to €15.80 as the company sold 36 branch premises for a combined total of €237m. Anglo Irish gained 1c to €13.85 while Irish Life & Permanent fell 15c to €19.25.

In construction, CRH jumped 38c to €27.71 after positive newsflow from the US housing market. Kingspan jumped 14c to €16.48 while Grafton moved 2c ahead to €11.15.