Financials gained most in thin holiday trading on the Dublin exchange yesterday.

With most traders not at work, the ISEQ finished 43.41 points stronger at 5,646.48.

Financials added 1.95 per cent on the day while general stocks added 0.21 per cent.

Bank of Ireland gained most in its sector, closing €35 stronger at €10.40. Allied Irish Banks added 15 cents to finish at €12.45 while Irish Life & Permanent was 10 cents stronger at €13.20. Other bank stocks were unchanged. These included Anglo Irish at €3.10 and First Active at €2.20.

Of the industrials, Elan gained €1.28 to finish at €52.75.

Stocks that lost ground included Ryanair, which finished 18 cents weaker at €10.70. Jurys Doyle finished 10 cents weaker at €8.80.

Of the techs, Horizon gained 20 cents to close at €7.00. At lunchtime in New York, Iona Technologies was almost $3.5 stronger on the Nasdaq at $63 5/16 while SmartForce was trading $2 stronger at $33.