Elan and financials see ISEQ end week on positive note

Elan was the main contributor to the ISEQ's positive performance today as the Dublin stock exchange gained 54.18 points to stand at 5,660.14.

The pharmaceutical giant's shares surged ahead today, adding €1.29c to finish the week at €20.00.

Rivals Warner Chilcott plc saw their share price lose ground after a whopping €8.29 rise this morning to go back to yesterday's finishing price of €11.55.

The financials were also positive amid heavy trading, with AIB, Bank of Ireland and Irish Life and Permanent rising. AIB gained 14c to €13.81, Bank of Ireland added 11c to €10.76 and IL&P gained a more modest 1c to fininsh at €13.01.

Anglo Irish bucked the trend with a 10c fall to €15.20.

Other risers were in the construction sector, house builders Abbey had a 11c rise to €8.02 and Grafton Group saw their stock go up 12c to €7.37.

Paddy Power continued the good performances with a 17c increase to €10.05, but insurance firm FBD recorded a 30c fall to stand at €18.50.