Market boosted by 5% advance

THE Irish market had a very strong day yesterday as the ISEQ index added 5% or 110.82 points to finish the day at 2,444.78.

Bank stocks were among the leading gainers again as expectations that the new Obama administration’s financial stimulus package may be unveiled as early as next week. AIB firmed 46.5c to €1.66. Bank of Ireland and Irish Life and Permanent followed suit gaining 17c and 27.8c respectively to close at 79c and €2.02.

Construction stocks also saw an up-tick with CRH adding 62c to €19.22. Grafton Group and Kingspan increased 18.6c and 16c to €1.62 and 2.68.