Financial shares perform positively

THE ISEQ Index of shares reflected European markets yesterday, closing 8.31 points higher at 3798.29 responding positively to an easing of fear of immediate war in Iraq.

Irish financial shares followed their British peers by performing solidly. Allied Irish Bank recovered ground from its five month low of€11.50 last week to close 2.19% higher at €12.04.

Irish Life & Permanent lost 2.75% to end the session at €8.85.Waterford Wedgewood traded in high volumes of over 24 million shares after it announced that its January and February sales were below expectations.