Financials' strength keeps ISEQ up

Warner Chilcott's FDA approval for menopause symptom drug Femtrace has not helped the company share price this morning, after it fell by nine cent to €8.87.

The company expects to launch Femtrace tablets in the first quarter of 2005.

Meanwhile, financials saw strong growth, with AIB, Bank of Ireland and Anglo Irish Bank all showing positive moves. AIB - which this week begins to repay customers affected by overcharging on a range of transactions - was up four cent to €12.87.

Bank of Ireland saw a big surge, up 12 cent to €10.86, while Anglo Irish Bank was up eight cent to €13.48.

Drinks and snacks group C and C, building materials group CRH and Ryanair all saw a downward trend of two cent, while Abbey PLC fell by 15 cent.

Overall, the ISEQ rose 22.64 in morning trading.