Financials make slight gains

THE ISEQ index slipped back 7.42 points to 4478.72 yesterday.

The financial market fared slightly better with the financial index climbing 19.01 points to 8955.58. Bank of Ireland gained 10c to €11.93, as Allied Irish Banks fell back 3c to €13.30. Both Anglo Irish Bank and First Active rose by 2c to close at €6.30 and €4.82 respectively. IFG Group closed 5c lower at €1.20 and Irish Life and Permanent fell 10c to €13.70.

In the pharmaceutical sector Elan climbed 15c higher to €3.60 and Galen Holdings fell 20c to €6.70.

It was a poor day in the Industrial sector. CRH slipped back 65c to €14.70 as Grafton Group closed 8c lower at €4.32. McInerney Holdings fell 10c lower to €2.20 and Heiton Group lost 8c to close at €3. Elsewhere, Ryanair rose 12c to €6.30 and Jurys Doyle Hotels gained 25c to €9.25. Independent News and Media climbed 8c higher to €1.70 and Irish Continental Group fell back 15c to €6.25.