Positive day on ISEQ

The ISEQ closed up 85.33 points at 6069.34 this afternoon, with most companies performing well.

Elan was the day’s most significant riser, closing up 37c (8.3%) at €4.85.

It was a good day for the financials. Bank of Ireland gained 37c (3%) to €12.45, while Anglo was up 10c (1%) at €9.85.

AIB was the day’s busiest share, up 10c at €16.50. Irish Life and Permanent was also up 10c, at €13.20. IL&P reached agreement with Chesnara on the sale of its closed UK life business, City of Westminster Assurance (CWA), for €70m today.

Insurer FBD was up 20c at €22.00.

Jurys Hotels finished the day 35c (2.9%) in the black.

Following a positive trading statement, predicting double-digit earnings-per-share growth in 2005, Fyffes posted a 2.7% gain of 6c today, bringing its share price to €2.29.

Kerry Group closed up 30c (1.6%) at €19.50.

Building materials group CRH was busy today, closing up 19c at €19.87.

Meanwhile, Ryanair saw a 3c increase to €5.73, following the announcement that the airline carried 24% more passengers last month than it did in April 2004.