World markets in strong advance

Shares on markets around the world were broadly higher yesterday as US retails sales figures for February showed their fastest advance for five months.

The ISEQ index followed the trend seen in European and US markets by adding 57.38 points to finish at 3,267.41.

Financial stocks were mixed on the day as Bank of Ireland and AIB both increased. The former added 0.3c to 13.2c, while the latter moved on 0.5c to 11.5c. Irish Life & Permanent shed 0.1c to 4.8c. Insurer FBD Holdings had a positive day, tacking on almost 5% or 43c to €9.05.

Construction stocks were all in positive territory as CRH added 35c to €16.21. Kingspan and Grafton Group followed suit, rising 20c and 1.4c to €8.20 and €3.37.

Elsewhere, exploration company Providence Resources was up approximately 8%, or 35c, to €4.76. DCC was also a strong performer, up 82.5c to €19.95.