ISEQ gains in line with positive mood in markets

WHILE early gains were eroded in afternoon trading, Dublin’s ISEQ share index still managed a solid enough rise — in line with the mood across Europe — as markets re-opened yesterday after the Easter holiday weekend.

Up by 2.5% at midday yesterday, the ISEQ eventually closed at 2,414 points — representing an increase of 41 points, or 1.73%, on last Thursday’s close.

Overseas, it was the banking stocks — the likes of Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC and Barclays Bank all rising significantly — which boosted London’s FTSE market by five points to 3,999 points. The CAC in Paris was up, yesterday, by just under 1% at 3,000 points and the DAX in Frankfurt closed at 4,557 — up by 1.5% on the previous close.