European shares rounded off a solid week on Friday with a slight gain, as better-than-expected German and US economic data boosted investors’ risk appetite, while Irish stocks rose to their best closing level in nearly half a year. Food sector stocks performed well, with Glanbia rising 1.5 per cent to €17.61 and Kerry advancing 1.8 per cent to €98.45. Miners followed suit, with a 0.8 per cent rise as they found their support in higher zinc prices. A 0.6 per cent rise in oil prices supported European oil and gas stocks, which rose 0.9 per cent. Commerzbank shares rose 1.7 per cent, while those of Deutsche bank slipped 1.2 per cent.

Source: The Irish Times April 05, 2019 17:15 UTC