Financials boost for market

THE ISEQ Index returned to positive territory yesterday as financial stocks charged ahead.

The Dublin Exchange closed 192.73 higher to 9,681.73.

In the banking sector, Bank of Ireland took the lead gaining 60c to €16.45 with over 5 million shares changing hands. AIB and Anglo-Irish climbed 52c apiece to €22.85 and €17.02, while Irish Life & Permanent ended the day 25c better off at €19.75.

In construction, CRH jumped 83c to €33.23 despite more negative news on the US housing sector with the index of pending existing homes falling 4.9% in March. Grafton Group climbed 36c to €11.36, Kingspan strengthened by 25c to €21.10 while McInerney was ahead by 15c to €14.15.