Shares close higher again

The Irish Index of shares closed higher for a second consecutive day, gaining 34.61 points to 4224.36.

The financial shares led the marginal improvement in the Irish market. Allied Irish Bank climbed 19c to finish at €12.57. Bank of Ireland remained unchanged at €11.10. First Active also gained ground closing 7c higher at €4.87. Anglo Irish added 1c to close €6.25. Irish Life and Permanent lost 2c to finish at 12.33. The Financial Index closed up 47.74 to 8404.41. Other notable movers on a day when volumes were low in the leading Irish shares were Ryanair and Galen.

Ryanair continued to recover ground by adding 16c to €5.63. Galen was yesterday's biggest gainer finishing 40c higher at €6.85.

Elsewhere, Elan Corporation plc added 19c to €2.84, DCC finished 15c stronger at €10.05 and CRH slipped 5c to €1.45.

On a quiet day for the food sector, Kerry Group rose 15c to close at €14.65.