CRH surge boosts market

The Irish exchange ended slightly higher yesterday on the back of strong gains from CRH.

The ISEQ increased 28 points to 6,981. Bank of Ireland was the only positive financial mover adding 2c to €10.40. AIB dipped 13c to €15.46. Irish Life and Permanent and Anglo closed 20c and 7c lower at €11.69 and €10.65.

CRH surged €1.05 ahead to €25 as the construction company indicated in a trading update that it expected full year 2007 profit before tax to be close to €1.9bn. Kingspan added 32c to €11.03. Grafton Group dipped 14c to €5.26.