Positive mood evident in trading

The ISEQ Index returned to positive territory closing 60.77 points higher at 9418.24.

Financial stocks were ahead overall. Sector leaders AIB & Bank of Ireland both shed 5c to 21.21 and 16.00 respectively. In the second line, Anglo-Irish jumped 27c to 15.82 while Irish Life & Permanent added 4c to 20.24.

In construction, CRH firmed 49c to 33.00. Grafton Group shed 4c to 11.33, Kingspan strengthened by 44c to 20.29 with McInerney giving up 19c to 15.00.