Mixed fortunes for financials

THE Irish index of shares reflected European markets and closed marginally higher, adding 0.53 of a point to 4414.28 points.

The financial shares had a mixed session. Allied Irish Bank added 1.75% to €12.80 ahead of their results next Tuesday. IFG and First Active lost ground, slipping 1.67% and 1.94% to 59c and €4.55 respectively.

Elsewhere, Galen fell 0.59% to €8.40. Northern Ireland’s biggest drugmaker has lost ground for successive days since it was announced that the company has ended talks with a potential buyer. CRH, giving up Monday’s gains, closed down 2.51% to €15.55.