ISEQ edges higher in morning trading

The ISEQ stands 3.15 higher in morning trading today at 6,176.68.

Shares in Irish Life & Permanent climbed 5c to €13.60 ahead of the company's trading statement announcement later in the day.

Shares in Bank of Ireland are up 6c to €12.21. The bank today announced the acquisition of Burdale Financial Holdings, a leading UK-based comprehensive asset based lender and subsidiary of Wachovia Corporation, for approximately €71m.

Allied Irish Bank shares climbed 4c to €14.82 while Anglo Irish Bank shares are unchanged at €17.80.

Elsewhere budget airline Ryanair today said it would carry a record 310,000 passengers on its Irish routes over Christmas and 1.35 million passengers Europewide over the festive period. Shares in the airline have crept up 1c to €5.48 today.

Pharmaceutical giant Elan has fallen 30c to €20 in the morning trading.

Meanwhile energy group Viridian announced today that Dipesh J Shah will become non-executive chairman upon Philip Rogerson’s retirement on April 30, 2005.

The most traded shares today are IAWS, Bank of Ireland, AIB, eircom and CRH.