Solid corporate earnings lifted major global markets today, pulling peripheral indexes like the Iseq in their wake.
There was continued strength in CRH, with the building materials giant spiking to €16.76 at one point. It settled back down to €16.60, but was still 10 cent ahead on the day.
Grafton Group’s share price was supported by a positive trading update issued by UK housebuilder Bellway, and it gained almost 4 per cent, or about 13 cent, to €3.63.
Figures released by Aer Lingus this morning showed that passenger numbers fell 17 per cent in January. This was slightly below expectations, but the resolution of the cabin crew dispute on Friday outweighed the adverse effects of reduced passenger volumes, and the stock closed up 1.3 per cent, or 1.4 cent, at almost €1.07.
Volumes were generally muted across the board, although brokers reported decent activity in Ryanair. The carrier touched a high of €3.80 during the session but finished down 3.5 cent at €3.72.
Paddy Power was lifted 2 per cent, or six cent, to €30.10 after internet casino operator 888 reported a strong finish to 2010 and said that discussions with Ladbrokes are ongoing.
Packaging group Smurfit Kappa shed about three cent to €9.07 in advance of its results, which are due to be released tomorrow.
Overall the Iseq was about 26 points up, or 0.87 per cent, at 3,011.
Elsewhere in Europe, the FTSE 100 index gained 0.9 per cent, Germany's DAX was up 0.9 per cent and France's CAC 40 was 1.1 per cent higher.
Additional reporting - Reuters