ISEQ recoups losses

The ISEQ-index of Irish shares began the morning by recouping yesterday's losses with a 104.47 point increase at 9374.11.

The financial heavyweights rallied investors to gain some major ground after disappointing performances earlier in the week.

The biggest gainer IL&P surged ahead 40c at €20.05, Bank of Ireland also produced an impressive performance this morning climbing 25c at €16.14.

Keeping up the rear AIB and Anglo Irish Bank both managed to gain ground with 18 and 17c increases at €22 and €16.12 respectively.

The good news was spread evenly around the market floor with bathroom products manufacturer Qualceram Shires announcing pre-tax profits for 2006 up to €3.9m for 2006 following a loss of €5.1m in 2005.