ISEQ makes gains

The ISEQ-index of Irish shares shuffled forward this morning gaining 30.03 points at 9941.39.

One of the dominant shares on the index, builders McInerney gained 5c at €16.80 on foot of reports that the company recorded a 16% growth last year.

The group today announced a pre-tax profits increase of 16% to €58m for the year ended 31 December 2006 compared to the 2005 result of €50.1m.

Profit after tax for the year was €48.6m compared with €41.1m for the full year in 2005, an increase of 18%.

The group has also announced the acquisition of UK company Lancing Homes Limited for £16.25m (€24.2m).

Elsewhere both AIB and IL&P gained 10c at €23.55 and €22.55 respectively. Bank of Ireland also made modest gains up 3c art €18.56.

Anglo Irish Bank was the only loser among the financial heavyweights down 2c at €16.55.