ISEQ edges towards 7200 mark

The ISEQ index of shares got off to a positive start to the week this morning as it added 38.39 to stand at 7189.1 in early trading.

The financials did well, with AIB adding 23c to €18.16. Anglo Irish and Bank of Ireland each added 3c to €11.90 and €13.83 respectively.

Irish Life & Permanent, however, fell back 6c to €16.91 in early trading.

Meanwhile, pharmaceutical giant Elan continued its recovery, adding 22c to €10.97 in early trading.

Earlier, fruit and vegetable distributor Fyffes said today it would pay €20m back to shareholders after a strong second half of the year fuelled by demand for tropical fruits in continental Europe.

The Dublin-based group – whose labels include Outspan and Cape as well as Fyffes bananas and pineapples – said the sales had offset inflation, allowing them to pay the dividend which equates to €0.057 per share.

Fyffes shares were down 18c to €2.08 this morning.