ISEQ stages recovery

The ISEQ index of shares finished on a high today after suffering losses in early trading.

As oil prices fell back towards the 45 dollar mark, the ISEQ gained ground in the afternoon to close up 10.86 at 5396.24.

The financials, however, failed to recover from early losses. Allied Irish Bank, which this week began refunding customers who fell foul of overcharging on a number of transactions, saw shares fall by 2c to close at €12.84. AIB today made two new non-executive director appointments to its board: Jenny Winter and Kieran Crowley.

Bank of Ireland shed 6c to €10.77, while Anglo Irish Bank rallied from morning losses to gain 2c and close at €13.49.

Also on a positive note, Abbey plc added 10c to its share price to €8.70.

Building materials group CRH gained a substantial 18c amid heavy trading to finish the day at €18.65.