ISEQ sees slight rise

The ISEQ index of Irish shares closed up slightly by 1.71 points at 6030.94 today.

Elan is continuing a gradual move upwards after last week's news of a third death linked to multiple sclerosis drug Tybrasi. Shares closed up 14c to €2.84 today.

The market responded positively to news from Anglo Irish Bank of its plan to sub-divide every ordinary share of 32c in the capital of the company into two ordinary shares of 16c each. The bank received approval for the move from shareholders at an Extraordinary General Meeting held on January 28. Shares were up 35c to €19.60 today.

Bank of Ireland saw a fall of 10c to €12.45 today. The bank announced that it would become the first private lender to enter the mortgage market for Affordable or Local Authority Housing with a product called 'Breakthrough'.

AIB shares were up 2c to €16.10, while Irish Life and Permanent fell 8c to €13.67.