AIB upgrades earnings forecast

AIB has revised its earnings forecast for 2005 in its pre-close trading statement for the first six months of the year.

AIB is expecting to achieve good growth in the first half and has upgraded its earnings forecast for the year by 2.5%, which was in line with market expectations.

In its trading statement, it said the new earnings per share (EPS) range has been shifted up to 138c-140c from its earlier forecasts of 135c-137c.