ISEQ gains on first day of trading

THE ISEQ index gained 58.70 points on the first trading day in 2012, to close at 2960.52 points.

World markets rallied as better-than-expected data from China and Germany prompted a renewed appetite for riskier assets.

In the financial sector AIB slipped 0.8c at 6.1c. Bank of Ireland added 0.3c to 8.5c, while Irish Life & Permanent was 0.3c better at 2.7c. FBD announced on December 30 the sale of FBD Insurance Brokers to Jardine Lloyd Thompson. for a total consideration not exceeding €8.5m. Shares in FBD closed up 20c at 6.70. CRH advanced 32c to €15.68. Kingspan increased 19c to 6.55.