Market nears 2,000 point mark

THE ISEQ index closed up 43.88 points at 1,991.29 points yesterday as markets throughout the world had a positive day after retail sales in the United States fell 0.1% in February, less severe than the 0.5% expected.

The main financial stocks enjoyed another good day. AIB added 3c to 47c, Bank of Ireland was 3c stronger at 24c, Irish Life and Permanent added 3c to 79c, while insurance group FBD bucked the trend weakening 22c to e5.53.

In the construction sector, CRH jumped 44c to e14.25, Grafton Group was 3c lighter at e1.45 and Kingspan increased 10c to e2.47.