Building groups up as ISEQ gains 44 points

The ISEQ index of Irish shares climbed 44.13 points today to 6105.65.

Following a continuing trend of buoyancy in the construction industry, Kingspan closed up 25c at €9.70 per share while CRH was up 5c to €20.41.

Elan shrugged off its recent troubles for a positive day's trading, up 23c to €5.67.

Meanwhile, Tullow Oil benefited from a pre-results buzz with a 5c rise in value to €2.55 a share. The company announced it would will announce its preliminary financial results for 2004 on Tuesday April 12.

It was also a good day for the financials. Anglo Irish Bank led the charge, closing up 30c at €20.23.

AIB gained 6c to €15.61, while Bank of Ireland closed up 5c at €12.45. Irish Life & Permanent was the only loser, shedding 1c to €14.31.