The Irish stock exchange improved by 158.90 points today to 7,774.73 on foot of positive figures from the CSO showing a 5.4 per cent growth in the economy.
Stocks that saw most interest by this afternoon were those belonging to usual heavy-hitters Allied Irish Banks, Bank of Ireland, CRH, Anglo Irish Bank Corporation Plc and Kingspan group.
By 12.30, Allied Irish Banks Plc stocks were valued 1.75 per cent higher than at yesterday's close at €16.280. Bank of Ireland ordinary stocks were up 0.430c or 3.57 per cent at €12.470. CRH saw an increase of 1.82 per cent in value, up 0.49c at €27.440.
Anglo Irish Bank Corporation saw a 2.68 per cent increase in value - up 0.33c to 12.640, while Kingspan Group's ordinary shares were down 0.46 per cent at €15.100.
The Central Statistics Office released figures today showing that the country's GDP grew by 5.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2007.