Market regains some lost ground

THE Dublin Exchange closed in positive territory in line with European bourses.

The ISEQ was 57 points better off at 6,488.

Financial stocks gained ground as Europe’s biggest bank HSBC announced group profit for the first quarter was ahead of the same period in 2007. AIB added 19c to 13.94. Bank of Ireland was 10c better off at 9.20. Irish Life and Permanent increased 15c in share price to 11.36 while Anglo lost 10c on the day to 9.50.

CRH firmed up 35c to 24.20. Kingspan added 2c to 7.65. Grafton Group increased 4c to 5.34.