Dublin Report: The Irish stock market closed at a record high of 6,499.97 last night, maintaining its recent momentum despite a lack of direction from overseas.

Although US markets remained shut for the Martin Luther King Jnr holiday, the ISEQ added a further 1 per cent to bring its year-to-date gain to nearly 5 per cent.

Among the best performing stocks on the day was Grafton Group, as the company continued to benefit from its acquisition of Heiton and a strong trading statement from British building products group Wolseley.

The shares closed 44 cents, or 4.9 per cent higher, at €9.50 with brokers noting the €10 level was now in sight. CRH also benefited following Wolseley's strong trading statement, closing 51 cents or 2.5 per cent higher at €20.69. Anglo Irish Bank remained a strong performer, adding a further 50 cents or 2.7 per cent to €19.30, despite a more lacklustre performance from the two larger banks.

AIB shares closed three cents lower at €15.42 while Bank of Ireland stock was up six cents to €12.19.

Ryanair made progress yesterday adding 15 cents or 2.6 per cent to €5.85 despite signs that oil prices were nudging up again.

There was good volume in Fyffes, with more than two million shares changing hands as the stock added seven cents, or 3.5 per cent, to €2.06. Greencore also made headway, gaining eight cents or 2.5 per cent to €3.27 as investors responded positively to its move to address impending EU sugar regime reform.

Elsewhere in the food sector, IAWS fell by 45 cents, or 3.6 per cent to €12 amid talk of director share dealing.

Shares in Iona were up by 42 cents, or nearly 11 per cent to €4.25 ahead of the release of fourth-quarter results on Thursday when the company is expected to report revenues of $18-$19 million. However, with US markets shut, volume was light with just 15,000 shares traded.Dublin

ReportSettlement Date: January 20th