Irish shares gain along with rest of Europe as rate cut expectations rise

Investors tweaked their views about the European Central Bank's policy path, pricing in a 90% chance of an ECB rate cut by June from less than an 80% chance earlier this week

'Central banks look to be on the verge of declaring victory in their battle over inflation.' Picture: Hannelore Foerster/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Irish shares again joined in a rally for European shares as stock markets across the continent reached new record highs driven by rate cut hopes. 

The Iseq index of shares rose by 0.3% in the session, thanks to strong performances by two of the three stock market-listed banks. AIB and Bank of Ireland rose by 5% and 3.5%, respectively, while Permanent TSB slipped 1%.