ISEQ in the black

The ISEQ index of Irish shares is up 19.75 points to 7630.48 in morning trade today.

A steady list of low-to-mid-sized gains is keeping the index in the black so far today.

Financial stocks either stayed level or saw rises, biggest among them 8c to €14.23 for Bank of Ireland.

The bank today launched a new venture with Spanish bank la Caixa to provide additional mortgage options for Irish people buying property in Spain. La Caixa is the third largest bank in Spain with 4,800 branches and 6,800 ATMs.

Meanwhile, AIB was up 2c to €18.42, while Anglo Irish Bank - along with Bank of Ireland, one of the most-traded stocks this morning - was up 5c to €13. Irish Life and Permanent stayed level at €17.50.

Business support services company DCC saw an 11c rise to €18.90.