THE strong opening on Wall Street after the publication of positive purchasing managers figures allowed the Irish market to push ahead once again, with the focus on the main financial stocks.

And in a vote of confidence in the domestic market, Davy Stockbrokers has left its end year forecast for the ISEQ intact at 2,700 and has taken the view that the emerging environment in the international economy and, in particular, the US are favourable for financial markets.

If the Davy forecast is to be achieved, it will require a very strong second half for the Irish market and a 12 per cent rise by the ISEQ from its current level. Davy believes that the case for the financial shares is still strong, while the correction in the CRH share price has been overdone.

AIB was the most active stock trading up 2p to 336p ahead of today's interim results. Analysts are expecting about 10 per cent profit growth in the first half, boosted by the strength of First Maryland and a contribution from the Govett fund management business. This week's good results from Ulster Bank have reinforced the view that AIB would turn in good figures.

Elsewhere, Bank of Ireland continued to move ahead, adding 5p to 435p, although other financials drifted, with Irish Permanent off 3p on 385p. CRH was unchanged on 5757p, Smurfit lost 1p to 159p while James Crean was 5p lower on 185p.