Ryanair, financials boost ISEQ

The ISEQ closed at 7972.98 today, up 29.31.

Food and beverage group C&C fell 17c (2.9%) to €5.71. The company said today that it expects to post a 9% rise in group turnover for the year to the end of February as its key cider business achieved sales growth of about 30%.

Ryanair was up 13c (1.7%) at €7.73. Confusion over the airline’s possible involvement with a Mexican start-up airline was cleared up today as it emerged that it is actually the Ryan family (headed by Ryanair founder Tony Ryan) that is involved.

Anglo Irish Bank closed up 17c (1.2%) at €13.77, while Allied Irish Bank, the day’s busiest share, was up 15c at €20.15.

Bank of Ireland gained 12c to €15.02. Irish Life and Permanent slipped 10c to €18.50.

CRH gained 7c to €27.62.

Trinity Biotech was unchanged at €1.87 ahead of the announcement of full-year 2005 results on March 6.

Iona Technologies was also unchanged, at €3.00. The company today appointed Robert C McBride its new chief financial officer.