ISEQ slips in mid-morning trading

The ISEQ slipped 2.9 points to 6,220.89 in morning trading today, with building group Kingspan leading the list of risers.

The Co Cavan building materials group has seen shares surge 24c to €8.80 today after today revealing pre-tax profits climbed 34% in 2004 to €88m.

Financial shares have not fared so well, however. While Allied Irish Bank shares are unchanged at €16.14, Bank of Ireland shares have slipped 2c to €13.05 while Anglo Irish Bank shares have slipped 5c to €20.35.

Irish Life & Permanent, which yesterday revealed a 57% profits surge to €411.2m, slipped back on some of the gains of yesterday, falling 16c to €14.64.

Pharmaceutical company Elan - which suffered such a tough time as shares collapsed last week - has climbed 15c to €5.15 today.

Paddy Power shares have also surged today, climbing 20c to €13.95.

The most traded shares today are Anglo Irish Bank, Ryanair, Fyffes, Irish Life & Permanent and CRH.