ISEQ up 2%

The ISEQ index of Irish shares closed up 54.42 points to 2,775.74, a rise of 2.00%.

Among the risers, Merrion Pharmaceuticals jumped 39c or 11.93% to €3.66 while ICON climbed €1.10 or 7.86% to €15.10.

Also on the rise were CRH, up 62c to €14.46; DCC, adding 54c to €21.85; Aryzta, up 64c to €31.92; Kingspan, up 19c to €6.00 and Paddy Power, adding 51c to €29.50.

Banking stocks were also in positive territory, with AIB jumping 9c or 30.9% to €0.38, Bank of Ireland adding 2c to €0.42 and Irish Life & Permanent up 6c to €0.94.

On the fallers' board, C&C slipped 9c to €3.25, Glanbia was down 5c to €3.50; Elan Corp slipped 7c to €3.93 and Ryanair was also down 7c, to €3.90.