Icon Plc leads the way for ISEQ

There was little change in the ISEQ index overall today, inching 4.51 points up to 7394.64.

By far the best performance of the day came from technology group Icon, who announced impressive second quarter results, exciting investors enough to trigger a spectacular €3.52 jump to €47.18.

There was no great movement for the financials, epitomised by Irish Life & Permanent, who were unchanged at €17.65. Anglo Irish Bank endured the only loss in the sector, dropping 16c to €18.56. Bank of Ireland were up 9c to €13.72, with Allied Irish Bank enjoying a 16c boost to €18.56.

It was a generally bad day for construction firms, as Siptu announced that it was receiving one complaint an hour from disgruntled builders. Grafton (down 13c to €9.81), Abbey (down 10c to €8.50) and CRH (down 2c to €25.13) all lost ground. McInerney Holdings bucked the trend, improving 10c to €10.95.

Elan continued its recent revival on the back of news that it is to reintroduce flagship drug Tysabri. The pharmaceutical firm gained 36c to €11.30.