Share optimism as Iseq up 33.49 points

The Iseq index of Irish shares closed at 4,802.98, up 33.49 points.

This seemed to reflect international markets’ optimism following the capture of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on Saturday.

Ryanair led the upward charge gaining 20c to €6.45.

Earlier the company made clear its plans for the establishment of a stronger lobbying presence in Brussels for the low-cost airline sector.

However, some of Ryanair’s biggest competitors will remain outside the alliance.

The Bank of Ireland’s job index pointed to a 0.5% increase in construction employment year-on-year.

Construction stock saw Grafton up 10c to €5.60 while CRH was up 19c to break the €16 barrier at €16.05.

Earlier this morning a trading statement from Aggregate Industries stated that full year 2003 results would improve in line with market expectations.

Kingspan was up 10c to €4.10 after a trading statement on Friday predicted 2003 results to be in line with market expectations.

Financial stock saw AIB up 10c to €12.28 while Anglo Irish was up 1c to €12.30.

Bank of Ireland this morning announced the repurchase of 120,000 shares at an average price of €10.55 on Friday.

This takes the total bought back since interims to 5.26m shares at an average price of €10.48, and amounts to a total cost of €55.1m.