Buoyant trade in financial shares

SHARES in Dublin traded solidly yesterday, with the ISEQ index finishing 14.59 points higher at 5351.51.

The financial sector had a buoyant day. Irish Life & Permanent added 15c to €12.45 on renewed takeover speculation, following the bid for Abbey National by the Spanish bank Santander. Anglo Irish Bank gained 15c to €13.10, Bank of Ireland moved 8c higher to 10.76 while Allied Irish Bank added 6c to €12.45 ahead of its interim results due out this morning.

Waterford Wedgwood fell 3.3% to close at 14.5c after shareholders of the company approved the sale of its All-Clad unit to French company Groupe SEB at an EGM. Pharmaceutical stock Elan Corporation eased 4c to €17.75 despite confirmation that Antegren has been accepted by the FDA for review. Elsewhere, construction group CRH slipped 10c to €18.10, while Greencore added 5c to €2.90.