Markets rise on US positive data

Indices across the eurozone rose yesterday following positive news on the state of the US economy.

Profit taking in the afternoon eroded these gains and thus shares in Dublin finished the week in negative figures. The Iseq finished the week on 3,479.69 down 7.82 on the day.

The financial sector had a mixed day, AIB was flat on 8.1c while Bank of Ireland gave up 0.2c to close at 14.2c.Permanent TSB Group finished its best week in nearly a year — gaining 0.1c to close on 4.1c.

CSO figures showed motor insurance prices were static in December, with a year-on-year increase of 5.1%, whileprivate home insurance prices fell 3.7% for the year. Shares in FBD slipped 14.5c to finish on €10.70.