Positive finish for financials

THE ISEQ index closed 20.80 points higher yesterday at 4278.72 in low volume trading.

Financial shares had a good day with Allied Irish Bank the main gainer, up 24c to 13.24. Bank of Ireland closed up 13c at 11.83, and Irish Life and Permanent nudged 1c ahead to 12.17.

Negative was First Active, down 16c to 4.84 while Anglo Irish Bank was unchanged at 6.04. Overall the financial index closed 97.62 points higher at 8765.66.