ISEQ follows Europe trend

SHARES in Dublin followed European markets higher yesterday, closing 63.25 points stronger at 3926.35.

The financial stocks led the surge, with Irish Life & Permanent climbing 55c to 12.15, mirroring similar gains among other European life assurance companies. Bank of Ireland added 25c to 10.20 and

Allied Irish Bank finished 20c higher at 12.50. Anglo Irish Bank rose 16c to 6.25, while First Active was flat at 4.60. IFG Group bucked the positive trend, falling 15c to 70c. Shares in the troubled pharmaceutical group Elan recovered some of yesterday’s losses following the