Banking boosts progressive market

THE ISEQ Index charged ahead yesterday led by gains in the banking sector. The Dublin market closed 84.20 higher at 8,890.07.

Bank of Ireland jumped 43c to €16.48, AIB climbed 18c to €21.86 while Irish Life & Permanent gained 35c to €19.90. Anglo-Irish added just 5c to €14.40.

Elsewhere, Greencore revealed plans to build a €1.1bn town centre in Carlow at the site of the former sugar factory. Shares climbed 5c to €4.10. Aer Lingus dipped 6c to €2.68 as Ryanair indicated it would not be increasing its offer of €2.80 for the airline. Shares in the low-cost carrier dropped 13c to €9.72.