Gains all around as optimism rises

THE Irish market reflected the positive sentiment across Europe, gaining 47.43 points to 4327.59.

US stocks also opened considerably higher, with investors said to be upbeat about Q2 earnings due for release this week.

Financials all gained, with Irish Life and Permanent climbing 4.7% to 9.95, First Active 15c firmer at 4.60 and Anglo Irish Bank 14c stronger at 7.92. Bank of Ireland added 3c to 10.36, after announcing the purchase of a further 300,000 shares on Friday bringing the total purchased since May 15th to around 11.6 million.