Good performance by financial sector

IRISH shares traded in positive territory for the first day in three mirroring bourses across the rest of Europe. At the closing bell the ISEQ index was 50.64 points firmer at 6658.99.

The financial sector finished 78.16 points higher overall. AIB and Bank of Ireland both climbed 13c and 12c respectively. Anglo-Irish added 6c to €10.95 while Irish Life & Permanent bucked the trend falling 5c to €14.96.

Construction giant CRH jumped 35c to €22.15. Grafton Group and Kingspan climbed 29c and 10c apiece, while McInerney added 6c to €8.46.