Strong financials boost market

THE ISEQ Index climbed higher yesterday as the financials performed strongly. The exchange closed 41.56 points higher at 8,536.03.

AIB surged 57c to €21.25 while Bank of Ireland shed 5c to €15.55. Anglo Irish and Irish Life & Permanent were unchanged at €13.92 and €18.95.

Construction giant CRH lost 12c to €27.18 amid heavy trading volumes of 1.68 million shares.