Exchequer returns boost market

The Iseq index continued its ascent following recent surges in world markets in response to the US fiscal cliff recovery.

In addition to this, exchequer returns for 2012 also show that the budget deficit out-turn came in much better than expectations set out in Budget 2013. The Irish exchange closed up 22.21 points to 3,478.41.

A mixed day among the financial stocks saw AIB up 0.1c to 5.2c, Bank of Ireland unchanged at 11.9c and Permanent TSB Group dropping 0.2c to 2.4c. Irish Insurer FBD Holdings had a positive day, climbing 47c to €10.80.

In construction, CRH declined 10c to €15.52, Kingspan jumped 17.4c to €8.60, while Grafton Group dipped slightly by 0.6c to €4.06.

Elsewhere CPL Resources gained 15c to €3.60. In the financial year 2012 CPL placed over 1,000 candidates in temporary or permanent IT roles. This trend is expected to continue into next year.