Solid gains made by banks

THE Irish Index of shares recovered 24.58 points yesterday, to close at 3863.1.

The banks made good gains and the financial market rose 104.6 points to 7913.59.

Allied Irish Banks climbed 20c higher to €12.30 and Bank of Ireland rose 10c to €9.95. First Active closed 20c higher at €4.60 and Anglo Irish Bank gained 4c to finish at €6.09. Irish Life & Permanent closed 10c higher at €11.60 and IFG Group rose 15c to €0.85. Following the stock’s recent fall, CRH gained 20c to close at €11.55.

Elsewhere in the industrial sector, Abbey climbed 11c higher to €4.55 and Heiton Group rose 10c to €2.45. Kingspan closed 10c lower at €1.60 and McInerney Holdings gained 5c to €2.05. Kerry Group and IAWS slipped 5c lower, closing at €13.05 and €7.15, respectively.

Elan fell 69c to €1.34 and Galen Holdings lost 27c to finish at €5.80. Other movers on the day included Jurys Doyle Hotels, 15c higher at €7.70 and Paddy Power, 10c higher at €4.90. Riverdeep gained 10c to €1.15 and Ryanair rose 9c to €5.74.