ISEQ keeps head up

The ISEQ is staying in positive territory - just - after morning trade saw it 1.82 points up, to 6419.35 , at lunchtime.

Stock in bookmaker Paddy Power leapt 23 cent to €11.06 on the back of a positive trading statement from the group, to the effect that pre-tax profits for 2004 are set to be about €32.1m - 57% higher than in 2003.