Firm revenue boosts Grafton price

THE ISEQ index advanced 91.16 points to close at 2,576.81. Markets worldwide continued to rally on hopes the US Federal Reserve will come to the rescue of the world’s largest economy with another stimulus package.

In the financial sector, Bank of Ireland added 0.2c to 8.8c. AIB dipped 0.5c to 4.1c. Irish Life & Permanent gave up 0.1c to 3c, while insurance group FBD Holdings was 6c stronger at 6.70.

In the construction sector, Grafton announced interim results showing that revenues in the first six months of 2011 rose 2% year-on-year to €1,008m. Grafton shares closed up 2.6c at 2.726. Elsewhere, Kingspan tacked on 23.7c to 6.266 and CRH jumped 67c to 12.43.