AIB gains a boon to market

THE ISEQ index yesterday closed up 27.06 points at 2,278.03. AIB was the star performer on the ISEQ jumping 20c or 20% to close at €1.20. Bank of Ireland also had a positive day progressing 5c to 62c, Irish Life & Permanent added 11c to €1.74, while FBD Holdings was 12c lighter at €7.88.

In the construction sector CRH moved up 15c to €18.60, Kingspan progressed 14c to €2.42, Grafton Group gained 4c to €1.44 while McInerney Holdings was unchanged at 14c.

In other news, C&C weakened 3c to 82c, having been as low as 74c at one stage. Independent News & Media added a further 5c to 30.5c, Ryanair dipped 2c to €3. Smurfit Kappa decreased 13c to €1.80 while Elan Corporation increased 15c to €5.40.