Bulls return as ISEQ rises 163 points

THE Irish market reacted well to this year’s budget and the ECB leaving interest rates unchanged. The Dublin Exchange was 163 points stronger at 7,134.

The financial stocks were 394 points better off. AIB gained 50c €15.60. Bank of Ireland jumped 42c to €10.87. Anglo and Irish Life and Permanent increased 28c and 80c in share price to €10.98 and €13.85 respectively.

Construction giant CRH added 83c to €24.85. Kingspan firmed 43c to €14.07 as the 2008 budget allocated funds for a pilot scheme for home insulation. Grafton Group dipped 1c to €5.74.