Slow day sees ISEQ gain 17 points

In a slow day on the ISEQ index, the Dublin stock exchange was up 17.02 points to 6,070.04 by the end of the day.

The financials experienced heavy trading and all ended up in slightly positive territory. Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Life & Permanent were both five cent up to €17.35 and €13.25 respectively.

AIB had a three cent rise to €14.70, while Bank of Ireland increased their price by four cent to €11.79.

The day's biggest mover, Icon Technologies, had a fall of €1.60 to €28.40. Other fallers were Business support group DCC (down 15c to €15.55), Construction firm Kingspan (down 10c to €6.75) and Paddy Power (down 10c to €10.80)

On the positive front, Pharmaceutical giant Elan gained 27c to stand at €19.87, while Kerry Group increased their price by 22c to €18.22.

Irish Ferries' parent company Irish Continental ended its day's trading on the ISEQ at €10.92, a rise of two cents.

The company began axing staff today after a row over plans to cut 150 posts on its shipping route from Rosslare to Cherbourg, France, escalated.