Market in post-Christmas rush

IT was business as usual for the market following the lull over Christmas. The ISEQ index ended the first day’s trading session for 2007 in positive territory climbing 129.65 to a new record high of 9,537.77.

Financial stocks were mixed with AIB forging ahead €1 to €23.50. Bank of Ireland was up 2c to €17.52 with Anglo-Irish down 1c to €15.70 and Irish Life & Permanent gained 20c to €21.10.

Elsewhere, Kingspan jumped 40c to €20.47, Grafton rose 4c to €12.70 and McInerney gained 10c to €14.90.