Market ends higher in mixed day

Shares in Dublin were mixed yesterday. The ISEQ ended the day higher at 5016.45, up 6.21 points.

The drug manufacturer Elan rose 55c to 5.95, its highest in six months, after it announced positive results from trials of its painkiller, Prialt. The company intends to file an application with the US authorities this year and hopes to launch the drug in 2005.

Ryanair climbed 13c higher following the announcement of positive passenger growth in December, 2003. Elsewhere, construction giant CRH, who, despite posting better than expected 2003 results, weakened 2c to 16.95.

The financials traded lighter with Anglo-Irish and Irish Life & Permanent falling 7c and 5c respectively. AIB was up 1c to 12.75, while Bank of Ireland eased 5c to 13.05.