Two main banks advance
The financial stocks were mixed. The two main banks edged higher, with Allied Irish Bank gaining 7c to 13.55 and Bank of Ireland finishing 5c firmer at 10.30. Irish Life & Permanent dropped 10c to 10.20, First Active lost 3c to 5.65 and Anglo Irish Bank slipped 5c to 6.75.
Overall, the ISEQ financial index advanced 20.15 points to 8330.53. Kerry Group 20c was weaker at 12.80. Fyffes gave up 5c to 1.34 and Glanbia eased 1c to 1.48. However, IAWS Group was 10c higher at 7.50. Abbey gained 10c to 4.98. McInerney Holdings rose 5c to 2.20, while Grafton Group closed 12c weaker at 3.35 and CRH was 5c off at 12.60.
