In New York Wednesday, economic reports and good earnings reports in advance of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision at about 2:15 pm Easter (7:15 pm Irish time) boosted stocks.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 114 points, or 0.89%, at 12986. Dow component General Motors rose 9% after announcing it posted a first-quarter net loss on weak car sales and the impact of a strike.
GM reported a net loss of $3.3 billion, or $5.74 per share in the first quarter of 2008, compared with a net loss from continuing operations of $42 million, or $.07 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.
US gross domestic product rose at an annual rate just 0.6% in the first quarter of 2008. Rising inventories helped prevent contraction, contributing 0.8% to the final growth figures.
Data on private sector jobs from ADP Employer Services showed US companies added 10,000 jobs in April. However, this report is not always a reliable indicator of the government's monthly jobs report due on Friday.
Live US Indices
In Europe, the Dow Jones Stoxx 600 rose 0.8% on Wednesday and 5.6% this month - its biggest rise since 2003.
The FTSE closed down 0.03% and 14 bof the 18 Western European markets rose.
In Dublin, the ISEQ Index has risen 0.38%.
FBD Holdings fell 9.62% after Euroko, the Dutch insurer's weekend withdrawal of a bid for the Irish insurance group.
Irish Life & Permanent fell 5.21% after the Central Bank reported that the growth rate of mortgage lending in March was the lowest since 1992.
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Europe
Irish Share Prices
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Currencies
The euro is trading at $1.5574 and £0.7848.
Sterling oversold and undervalued according to Bank of Ireland
For live currency updates, check the right-hand column of the Finfacts home page.
Commodities
Crude oil for June delivery is trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex) at $114.00 per barrel - down $1.63 from Tuesday's close
