ISEQ performs strongly to close up 25.98

The ISEQ bounced back in trading today, climbing 25.98 to close today at 5,306.24.

The financials enjoyed a strong day's trading. Allied Irish Bank climbed 7c to €12.17 while Bank of Ireland rose 10c to €10.70.

Anglo Irish Bank also fared well today, rising 10c to €13.25 while Irish Life & Permanent ended the day up 8c to €12.90.

Shares in technology company Iona jumped 17%, closing 60c higher at 4.10.

Today Iona announced Dublin City Council has selected Iona's Orbix as the technology for a new intelligent traffic management system.

Meanwhile Building materials group Grafton saw its share price rise 35c to €6.30 on the ISEQ today, after indicating better than expected results in a trading statement.

Turnover in the first six months of 2004 is expected to exceed last year's levels by more than 20% and this is also reflected in significantly increased levels of operating profit.

The strong performance of Grafton was mirrored by another construction stock, Heiton. Heiton shares climbed 10c to €5.10. CRH slipped 5c to €17.55.

Ryanair shares climbed 5c to close at €4.52 today. Earlier the airline revealed it topped a list for airline punctuality drawn up by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for the first quarter of 2004.