ISEQ closes week with strong gains

The ISEQ index ended the week on a positive note again today as shares surged 50.92 to close the week at 6,602.93.

Shares climbed throughout the day, with financial shares faring well.

Allied Irish Bank shares climbed 4c to €15.49 but Bank of Ireland shares were unchanged. Shares in Anglo Irish Bank climbed 9c to €18.79 while Irish Life & Permanent climbed 12c to €14.12.

Meanwhile shares in pharmaceutical giant Elan climbed 30c today on the back of yesterday's announcement that Japan's patent office issued a patent certificate for Elan's proprietary NanoCrystal drugs technology.

Building materials group CRH surged 46c to €21.38.

Business services support group DCC climbed 45c to €17.70 today.

Meanwhile Glencar Mining shares edged up 1c to 6c today. The company gave a progress update on its exploration activities in Mali, Ghana and Uganda.

Shares in budget airline Ryanair surged 13c to €6.67.

The most traded shares today were Ryanair, CRH, Bank of Ireland, AIB and eircom.