The ISEQ posted a 64 point gain today in a buoyant market, with CRH posting impressive gains.
CRH announced the acquisition of three US concrete plants for an undisclosed sum. CRH shares have rallied in recent sessions on the back of positive broker comment from leading investment houses such as Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs.
Wall Street believes CRH's asphalt business is well positioned to take advantage of increased spending on the US road network.
CRH gained 87 cents to euro 20.94, contributing almost half of today's ISEQ gain.
Financial shares also looked stronger. AIB gained 15 cents to euro 12.97, and Bank of Ireland is up 13 cents to euro 11.15.
Riverdeep announced another acquisition in the US as the shares gained 89 cents to euro 25.01.
Datalex suffered a heavy fall, though, after issuing a revenue warning earlier in the week. Its shares fell 60 cents to euro 2.00.
London's FTSE 100 index eased off at the close from earlier highs but stayed in the black as Wall Street continued to rally.
Telecoms were also back in the demand with Colt Telecom leading the way, up 3.4 per cent. Telewest Communications put on 2.7 per cent, British Telecom climbed 2 per cent and Vodafone rose 2.3 per cent.
Cable & Wireless was 0.4 per cent higher after the release of favourable full-year results yesterday.