ISEQ recovers to close up 7.27

The ISEQ recovered from a jittery start today, closing in positive territory, rising 7.27 to close at 5,375.94.

It was a particularly mixed day for the financial stocks. Allied Irish Bank climbed 10c today to close at €12.90 while Bank of Ireland rose 6c to €10.90.

It wasn't such a good day for Irish Life & Permanent, which plummeted 21c to €12.45. Anglo-Irish Bank slipped 1c to €13.05.

Shares in budget airline Ryanair fell 8c to €4.33 as the airline reported a 6% fall in income per passenger despite record profits.

Shares in construction and building enjoyed a more fruitful day. Abbey shares rose 7c to €8.48 while CRH was up 12c to €18.72. Heiton leaped 20c to €6.30.

Pharmaceutical giant Elan had a bad day. Shares in the company slipped 20c to €16.70.

Agribusiness giant Kerry had better news, rising 15c to €17.40.

Elsewhere Paddy Power was up 14c to €9.95.

Shares in DCC slipped 15c to €14.35 as the company's food and beverage division reached agreement to acquire its associate company Allied Foods.