ISEQ up almost 2%

The ISEQ index of Irish shares finished up 60.97 points to 3,158.83 today.

In the financial sector, both Allied Irish Banks and Irish Life & Permanent finished 10c up on €1.59 and €3.10 respectively. Bank of Ireland also did well, finishing 7c better off on €1.32.

The construction sector also did well. CRH was 47c better off on €19.08. Kingspan finished 30c up to €6.42.

There was further good news across a variety of sectors. Dragon Oil and Elan were both up 15c to €5.36 and €5.72 respectively.

Icon (up 60c to €18.60), Irish Continental Group (up 45c to €15.90), Paddy Power (up 32c to €25.48) and Glanbia (up 14c to €2.79) all boasted significant gains.

The only loss of note came for Tullow Oil, slipping 20c to €13.50.