Biggest annual rise in five years

THE benchmark ISEQ Irish Overall Index ended 2003 with its biggest annual advance in five years.

The ISEQ rose 1.27 points, or less than 0.1%, to 4920.73

Bank of Ireland added 4 cent, or 0.4%, to 10.82. Irish Life & Permanent rose 5 cent, or 0.4%, to 12.80.

IWP International fell 4 cent, or 14%, to 24 cent.

Shares of IWP International have declined 23% since the company said on September 18 that it rejected a 44 cent-a-share offer from some of its managers because it was too low.