Market gains in line with peers

The Iseq index gained 31.53 points yesterday to close at 3,286.34, in line with other European and world bourses.

China’s Purchasing Managers’ Index jumped to an 11-month high of 53.1 in March, up from February’s 51 and comfortably beating forecasts of 50.5.

In the financial sector, Irish Life & Permanent reported full-year 2011 results, recording a €428m loss in the period. This will be the last set of aggregated results from the company as the bank and life companies are in the process of separation. Shares in the bank fell 0.3c to 4c. Bank of Ireland dropped 0.2c to 12.2c, while AIB gained 0.1c to 9c.