Leading shares strengthen as ISEQ hits record

Market Report: It was another red-letter day for the ISEQ yesterday, as the index touched a new high of 6,735 before closing at 6,731.69.

It was hard to find a stock that wasn't carried along by the rising tide, with solid performances from all the main players helping to drive things along.

CRH had a particularly good day, buoyed by good results from its US peer, Martin Marietta. Shares in CRH finished the day at €22, up 56 cents. Grafton was also in solid form, rising by 30 cents to €10.40. The stock has climbed consistently since the start of the month.

Trade was particularly heavy in Eircom, which climbed by three cents to €2.14. Volume amounted to 11 million shares, as positive analyst recommendations continue to filter through. Goodbody Stockbrokers said yesterday that it was raising its stance on the company from "buy" to "add".

The financials were also firm, with Anglo hitting €20 for the first time. The bank finished at €19.95 but was still 27 cents ahead of Thursday's close.

AIB added 10 cents to close at €15.85, while Bank of Ireland climbed by eight cents to €12.78.

Fyffes was boosted by favourable German banana prices, with shares adding four cents to close at €2.08. DCC, which is facing the firm in a High Court action on insider dealing, rose by 20 cents to €18.30.

Independent News & Media was another good performer, with shares rising by two cents to €2.40 on strong demand.

Greencore gained on the back of Thursday's reassuring trading update, adding two cents to close at €3.38.

Fellow food stock, IAWS, was even more solid, climbing 47 cents to €12.55.

Ryanair was one of the few to go against the trend. Shares in the airline, which have had a good run of late, finished at €6.41, down eight cents. Dealers said most volume had come at €6.45.

Jurys, which has also been very firm over recent weeks, was another loser on the day. The hotel group dropped back by 10 cents to €13.20.Dublin

Settlement Day: February 16th