Bank gains bolster bourse

THE Dublin market closed 39.14 points higher yesterday, at 4189.75.

The bulk of this gain came from the banks. The Financial Index rose 198.41 points to 8356.67.

Bank of Ireland climbed 38c higher to €11.10 as Allied Irish Banks gained 18c to €12.38. Irish Life and Permanent rose 40c to €12.35 and Anglo Irish Bank closed 14c higher at €6.24.

It wasn’t all good news though as First Active fell 10c to €4.80 and IFG Group remained unchanged at €0.90.

In the industrial sector CRH slipped back 18c to €14.55, Kingspan finished 5c lower at €1.95 and DCC fell by 10c to close at €9.90. In the food sector Kerry Group rose 12c to €14.50 as Fyffes gained 1c to €1.38 and IAWS fell by 5c to €8.05.

Elsewhere on the day Ryanair closed 2c higher at €5.47 and Independent News and Media slipped 12c lower to €1.43. Paddy Power gained 3c to €5.28 and Waterford Wedgwood rose 3c to finish at €0.52.