ISEQ rallies at market close

The ISEQ index of Irish shares soared this evening, gaining 4.9% or 181 points to 3,822.94 by market close.

All the financial heavyweights ended the day in positive territory as Government legislation giving a €400bn guarantee to Irish-owned banks was passed by the Oireachtas and signed into law. Anglo Irish Bank shot up 89c to €5.04, with AIB gaining an equally impressive 67c to €6.67. Irish Life and Permanent followed suit, up 54c to €6.05 and Bank of Ireland jumped 32c to €4.62.