Gains reflect strong Asian moves

The ISEQ index began the week on a positive note adding 13.02 points to close at 3,006.55.

The gains reflect a strong overnight performance by Asian markets. They in turn had performed well as Wall Street moved to its highest levels in nine months, bolstered by a rise in home sales and comments by Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke that the global economy is emerging from recession.

In the financial sector, shares in AIB gained 7c to 2.19, Bank of Ireland increased 2c to 2.13, Irish Life & Permanent dipped 3c to 3.65, while insurance group FBD Holdings added 10c to 7.60.