ISEQ makes positive start

The ISEQ index got off to a bright start today, gaining 20.41 points to stand at 5,681.94.

Ryanair's share price shed 2c to €4.15 as it announced four new low fares routes from London Stansted to Spain and Portugal.

The new routes will commence on dates between the November 2, 2004 and February 25, 2005.

This brings to 78 the number of routes offered by Ryanair from London Stansted and to 12 the total number of airports served in the Iberian Peninsula from London.

Meanwhile, food groups Kerry and Glanbia made significant gains as a special food marketing event kicked off at Croke Park.

Around 225 buyers from some of the largest retailers in Europe and the United States have been invited to attend the Marketplace Ireland initiative, which was arranged by Bord Bia.

The goal is to increase sales of Irish goods in new and existing international markets.

Kerry's shareprice was up 20c to €17.20 and Glanbia was up 10c to €2.70 in early trading.

Building materials group CRH gained 22c to €19.77 amid heavy trading.

The financials were up mostly, the exception being AIB which shed 5c to €13.45. IL&P was unchanged at €12.90, while Anglo Irish and Bank of Ireland gained 5c and 3c to stand at €14.90 and €11.37 respectively.