ISEQ closes up 9%

The ISEQ index of Irish shares ended October on a positive note as it finished at 3,029.46, up 259.29 points (9.36%).

All of the major banks reported increases. AIB was up 56c to €4.21, Anglo Irish Bank was up 51c to €2.50, Irish Life & Permanent increased by 25% to 2.70, up 55c, while Bank of Ireland was the biggest riser, up a massive 41%, an increase of 67c to €2.30.

Elsewhere, Independent News & Media was up 14c to 64c amid reports that it plans to sell its stake in Australiasian outlet APN, Elan was up 93c to €5.85 and Paddy Power was up €1.05 to €13.35.