Market builds on financial strength

The Dublin Exchange closed in positive territory on the back of strong trading from the financial and construction stocks.

The ISEQ was 177 points better off at 7,792.

AIB jumped 63c to €16.63, Bank of Ireland rose 56c to €18.65, while Anglo and Irish Life and Permanent finished 39c and 67c higher at €12.70 and €15.35 respectively.

Construction giant CRH gained 57c to €27.52. Kingspan and Grafton Group added 11c and 5c to finish at €15.28 and €7.95 respectively. McInerney rose 12c to €1.40.

Elsewhere, Ryanair rose 10c to €5.10 after it reached a new four-year pay and roster deal with its Dublin-based pilots, IAWS was 26c ahead at €15.26 and pharmaceutical firm Elan finished up 4c to €14.94.