ISEQ continues to rise

The ISEQ index rose for the second consecutive day to close at 4376.40, a gain of 35.03 points.

Bank of Ireland surged 35c to 10.77, with over 13 million shares traded on the Irish market. Irish Life & Permanent advanced 12c to 11.25 and Anglo Irish Bank gained 15c to 6.85 following the release of strong results on Wednesday. Negative was AIB slipping 25c to 14.30 and IFG Group eased 6c to 45c.

The ISEQ financial index gained 60.40 points to 8735.82.

In the pharmaceutical sector Galen Holdings finished 30c firmer at 8.38, while Elan Corporation dropped 8c to 2.35 and United Drug slipped 5c to 12.15. Main movers among the construction stocks included CRH, up 16c to 13.83, Abbey was 5c weaker at 4.75 and Heiton Group lost 3c to 2.12.

Other notable movers included Ryanair, 19c higher at 7.88 while Jurys Doyle slid 5c to 7.10 and Irish Continental Group also closed 5c lighter at 6.85.