ISEQ lifted on banking gains

The ISEQ index of Irish shares added 12.43 points in early trading today, reaching 2,961.36 by 11.15am.

Financial shares were lifted by reports that a Canadian bank had expressed interest in acquiring a stake in AIB, with that bank's shares adding 15c to €2.25. Bank of Ireland also gained, cheering 9c to €2.15, while Irish Life & Permanent added 24c to €3.98.