Slight rise for ISEQ today

The ISEQ closed slightly higher today, up 0.21%, or 9.86 points to 4,779.81.

Performance in the financial sector was mixed.

AIB shed €0.12 to €12.10, weakening further after yesterday's trading report. Anglo Irish Bank in contrast continued with yesterday's gains, the bank closed up €0.35 higher to €12.03.

Bank of Ireland was up €0.01 to €10.55 and Irish L&P fell €0.05 to €12.00.

Construction stocks were up after yesterday's budget decision to continue tax relief on construction projects till July 2006.

CRH added €0.25 to €16.50, Grafton was up €0.12 to €5.40 and Kingspan was up €0.02 to €3.97.

Other movers included Ryanair, who saw its share price rise €0.03 to €6.38 after announcing a load factor of 83%, better than expected.

Fyffes was up €0.01 to €1.57 in heavy trading. Glanbia recouped yesterday's losses and moved up €0.02 to €1.98.

The blue chip FTSE-100 in London closed down 14.80 points at 4,378.20.

The main economic news today was the no change interest rate decisions by central banks in Britain and the euro zone.

On the currency markets the euro is worth $1.211 and £0.703.