ISEQ up 13, gains for Trinity, Elan, eircom

The ISEQ closed up 12.76 points at 6818.91 this evening.

Trinity Biotech posted the most significant gain, up 20c (14.3%) to €1.60, on news that members of the company’s boasts acquired 4.5m ordinary shares in the company by purchasing stock on the open market and exercising share options.

Elan was up 40c (5.8%) at €7.40. Eircom gained 8c (4.1%) to €2.06.

Ferries group Irish Continental closed up 30c (3%) at €10.30. The group today reported a pre-tax profit of €1.7m for the six months to the end of June.

Exploration company Dragon Oil made a gain of 5c (2.2%) to €2.35. Its CEO, Essa Almulla, stepped down today to pursue his own business interests.

Food company Glanbia was also up 5c (2%) at €2.58. The company announced today that 45 jobs are to be lost with the closure of its cheese factory in Kilmeaden, Co Waterford. Kerry Group lost 4c to €18.51.

Fyffes was up 2c at €2.59. The group today reported a 57% increase in underlying profits.

Paddy Power finished the day up 25c (1.8%) at €14.30.

Horizon Technology gained 2c (1.7%) to €1.20 as it reported a 20% growth in profits before tax. Meanwhile, business support services company DCC dropped 22c (1.2%) to €18.38.

Jurys Doyle Hotels fell 20c (1.1%) to €17.95 on the news that the Doyle family has increased its stake in the group to 29.9%.

CRH fell 20c to €22.85.

Bank of Ireland gained 12c to €13.27, while AIB, the day’s busiest share, was up 4c at €17.98.

Anglo Irish Bank closed at €11.34, down 3c. Irish Life and Permanent finished the day unchanged at €15.15.