Banking boosts market advance

THE ISEQ Index stormed ahead yesterday on the back of a charge by the banking sector.

The Dublin exchange closed up 146.25 points at 8,884.03.

Anglo Irish reported a 38% increase in pre-tax profits to €850m from €615m last year. This acted as a catalyst to Anglo’s share price, rising 49c to €14.84. The knock on effect saw AIB jump 40c to €21.70 while Bank of Ireland climbed 40c to €16.75. Also, Irish Life & Permanent soared 51c to €19.71.