Shares higher for second day

THE ISEQ Index closed higher for the second consecutive day, mirroring trends across Europe. The Dublin exchange jumped 34.78 points to 7922.18.

AIB finished 6c higher at €18.95 after it announced it has sold its existing Bankcentre property in two lots to Hibernian Life & Pensions and Sean Dunne for €377.7m. Bank of Ireland gained 7c to €14.67, Anglo-Irish gave up 12c to €13.00. Irish Life & Permanent fell 25c to €20.45.

In construction, CRH was the leading mover jumping 72c to €29.35 following strong results from the US highlighting. Grafton shares added 16c to €11.05 while Kingspan was unchanged at €13.15.

Elsewhere Paddy Power continued to surge ahead, climbing 46c to €13.96. Low cost airline Ryanair gave up 5c to €6.75, Tullow Oil soared to 6.07, up 12c, while Kerry Group firmed 10c to €20.12.