Market puts in a solid performance

THE ISEQ index performed well in line with world markets yesterday. The index gained 102.02 points to close at 2,500.35 points.

US stocks jumped on the back of better-than-expected earnings and data that suggested business inventories will need rebuilding, even as the economy shrank more than expected in the first quarter.

In the financial sector, the main banks enjoyed quite a positive day. AIB made a gain of 5c to close at 81c, Bank of Ireland jumped 5c to 66c, while Irish Life and Permanent progressed 12c to €1.87.