Banks drive market gains

THE ISEQ index powered ahead during early trading yesterday on the back of sharp rises in the banking stocks. The exchange levelled off at the close tacking on 13.91 points to 8,691.17.

AIB climbed 25c to €21.81 following an upbeat investor conference in London where the bank predicted double- digit profits growth up to 2010. Bank of Ireland added 5c to €16. Irish Life & Permanent increased 19c to €19.05. Anglo-Irish bucked the trend falling 31c to €14.40.

Construction stocks were lower overall with CRH dropping 25c to €27.32. Kingspan gave up 12c to €16.38 while Grafton Group was flat at €11.65.