ISEQ soars 1.5%

The value of Irish shares increased by 1.58% today as the ISEQ index finished 48.40 points higher on 3,115.20.

The financials all gained ground once more. Irish Life and Permanent led the way, rocketing up 60c to €4.60. Allied Irish Banks climbed an impressive 30c to €2.81, and Bank of Ireland was up 16c to €2.71.

There was more of a mixed back in the construction sector. Grafton Group improved 30c to €3.61, but CRH slipped 35c to €17.60.

It was good news in the energy sector however, with Tullow Oil (up 37c to €12.87) and Dragon Oil (up 10c to €4.35) both doing well.

Paddy Power and United Drug both gained 14c to finish on €19.60 and €2.40 respectively.

Other significant gains came for DCC (up 29c to €17.06), Irish Continental Group (up 27c to €12.07) Kerry Group (up 20c to €18.35) and Elan (up 10c to €5.30).