Stocks rise as ISEQ hits record high

A POSSIBLE end-of-year bonanza began to materialise yesterday with the ISEQ index hitting a new all time record high of 9,090.83. This represented a 134.43 point increase as many stocks reached double-digit gains.

Irish Life and Permanent led the way with a rise of €1.20 to €21.00. AIB, Bank of Ireland and Anglo-Irish also weighed in with 30c, 10c and 18c increases to €21.95, €16.75 and €15.50 respectively.

The construction sector also made gains with CRH finishing up 29c at €29.75, while Kingspan and Grafton both added 55c to close at €19.30 and €11.90 respectively.

Ryanair rose 35c to €9.95. Irish Continental announced that profits were ahead of expectations causing the stock to rocket €1.65 to €14.60.