CONTINUED demand for the main financial stocks in particular pushed the Irish market ahead strongly once again, bringing the ISEQ to another new high. Dealers see little sign of the current strong run coming to an end in the short-term.

After breaking through the £3 billion barrier on Wednesday, AIB moved ahead further yesterday with a 6p gain to 448p. Bank of Ireland also moved ahead and closed up 5p on 610p - just a few pence short of joining AIB in the £3 billion club.

Irish Permanent jumped 8p to yet another new high at 568p while the usual takeover speculation pushed Woodchester ahead 5p to 245p.

Industrials were very much a mixed bunch, with CRH drifting 2p lower to 648p although Smurfit was 2p higher on 173p. Bankers Trust has produced an enthusiastic "buy" note on Smurfit and is looking for the share to reach 225p within the next 12 months. That would mean a rise of over 30 per cent for yesterday's closing price.

Clondalkin moved top higher to 535p - helped by a "buy" note from NCB while Fitzwilton was 8p higher on 55p on speculation of a possible joint venture with Safeway.

The only big loser on the day was Greencore which closed down top on 362p while Abbey closed up top on 205p and Adare up 3p on 633p.

Kingspan got an overwhelmingly positive response to its one for six rights issue with a 99.3 per cent take-up - the tiny rump of 33,000 shares was placed in the market by Riada at 564p, a premium of 124p on the rights issue offer price.

Irish Continental - boosted by a "buy" note from company broker NCB - gained 20p to 500p, Independent was 4p higher on 334p while Hibernian was 7 1/2p stronger on 285p.