Financials power ahead
Financial shares powered ahead with Irish Life & Permanent soaring 90c to 12.10. Bank of Ireland climbed 35c to 9.95, following the announcement of the terms of its bid approach to Abbey National. Anglo Irish Bank added 27c to 6.20, Allied Irish Bank gained 20c to 12.50 while First Active finished 13c higher at 4.60. Overall, the ISEQ financial index added an impressive 301.30 points to 8053.22.
Elsewhere, construction giant CRH climbed 70c to 13.20, Heiton Group added 24c to 2.45 while Grafton Group closed 15c firmer at 3.45.
