Market gains on volatile day

THE ISEQ index finished up 19.84 points yesterday at 2,158.67 points. The financial stocks had a very volatile day, being very weak all morning as uncertainty gripped the market as to whether global and local rescue packages will have the desired effect on beleaguered economies.

However, they rallied during the afternoon as orders for US-made durable goods posted a shock rise in February after six months of decline.

AIB shed 7c to 65c, Bank of Ireland weakened 9c to 49c, Irish Life and Permanent fell back 12c to €1.18, while insurance group FBD dipped 2c to €6.05. In construction, CRH jumped 33c to €16.28, Grafton Group slipped 2c to €1.60 and Kingspan was unchanged for the day at €2.60.