Any Budget measures to boost the construction sector should benefit the shares of companies most exposed to the Irish property market.

Speculation abounds regarding measures to boost investment in housing, including possible reductions in stamp-duty levels and interest relief for investors on housing loans.

The biggest beneficiaries will be the companies with the greatest earnings exposure in the Irish market and the most exposure to housing.

Heiton with its repair and maintenance construction and DIY exposures should benefit, along with housebuilders such as McInerney and Readymix. Grafton, with just under 50 per cent of its profits from the Irish market, should also benefit.

Apart from any Budget measures, CRH has already taken steps to protect its Irish market earnings with its decision to increase Irish cement prices by 6 per cent from December. CRH supplies about 80 per cent of the market.

Broker to the company, Davy, says the rise should add €6 million (£4.7 million) to full-year operating profits.