Financials lead market gains

The ISEQ Index started the week in positive fashion as the financials drove the market up.

The Dublin exchange closed up 41.22 points to 8018.22.

The banks gained 215 points overall, with leading bank AIB adding 22c to finish at 19.27, while Bank of Ireland rose 20c to 15.40. In the second line, Anglo Irish strengthened by 22C to 13.52 with Irish Life & Permanent surging 55c to 18.75 as M&A activity in the British insurance sector could see suitors cross the Irish Sea.