ISEQ soars

The ISEQ soared 67.38 points at 8791.96 by close this evening as traders world wide were sent into a buying frenzy prompted by huge gains New York when softer than expected US inflation data eased interest rate fears and boosted stocks from Wall Street to Dublin.

The biggest gainer on the ISEQ index was business support services company DCC with a 48c surge in its share price.

By close today DCC shares levelled off at €24 as the group continues to bask in the recent news that it has acquired a 90% shareholding in a Nottingham-based recycling plant, Realpower Limited.

It was good news on the financial front as most of the major financials also experienced increases. Bank of Ireland gained 16c to €16.16 as the bank reported a 5% rise in its pre-tax profits during the six months to the end of September this year.

The bank says it made profits of €887m between April and September, up from €848m in the same period last year.

Irish Life and Permanent was up 8c at €19.35 while Anglo Irish Bank gained 7c to €14.7. Allied Irish Bank rose 12c to €21.61.