ISEQ gains 15.62 points

YESTERDAY the ISEQ index improved on Wednesday gains as it rose 15.62 points to 4391.35.

The financial stocks mainly moved upwards with Bank of Ireland leading the climb, up 20c to 11.70. First Active added 10c to 4.50, Anglo Irish Bank advanced 15c to 6.45 and Allied Irish Bank finished 10c higher at 12.75.

The exceptions were IFG Group, down 25c to 1.45 and Irish Life & Permanent was unchanged at 13.80. Overall the financial index was 93.87 points stronger at 8749.48 points.

Abbey shares advanced 45c to 4.65 following the announcement of the company’s full-year results to April 2002 yesterday which were well ahead of forecasts.

In the food sector Kerry Group slipped 15c to 14.85 while Greencore and IAWS both advanced 5c to close at 2.75 and 7.85 respectively. Elan Corporation lost 13c to 2.17 following the announcement it has postponed its AGM until August 19.