Market Report: Markets were strong around the world yesterday, buoyed by a surge in the Dow Jones, which saw it break through the 12,000 barrier for the first time.

That combined with an unexpected gain in US housing starts provided momentum for European indices and helped push the Iseq to yet another record.

CRH was the star performer in the Irish market as the building materials group, which has lagged behind its US and UK peers in recent times, at last put in some long-awaited gains.

The shares ended the day up 38 cent, or 1.4 per cent, to close at €27.70.

Ryanair was also a gainer, adding 9 cent, or 1 per cent, to end the day at €8.69.

The company yesterday announced the addition of two new routes from Dublin and also reiterated its commitment to buying Aer Lingus. Deputy chief executive Michael Cawley described the €2.80 a share offer as generous and one to be seriously considered by the existing shareholders. As many as 2.1 million shares changed hands.

Aer Lingus, meanwhile, closed up just 1 cent, or 0.4 per cent, at €2.89. Just under 5 million units changed hands, and a marking of one trade of more than 3.5 million shares raised speculation among dealers that yet more shares had been bought by a group seeking to oppose the bid, this time possibly the ESOT.

Elsewhere, food group IAWS continued its good run, rising to a record following the announcement of its biggest ever acquisition earlier in the week. The shares were up 18 cent, or 1.1 per cent, to €16.30. Tullow added 2 cent, or 0.3 per cent, to close at €5.94 amid positive mutterings from analysts following an investor day on Tuesday.

The financials, however, were mixed as dealers reported relatively limited demand, with no one bank trading more than 2 million units.