ISEQ bounces back

The Irish Stock Exchange recovered somewhat today after taking a hammering in recent sessions, closing up 70.55 points to 9452.37.

The financial sector performed strongly, with Anglo Irish Bank the only loser, inching down 3c to €16.32. Elsewhere, it was a good day for Irish Life & Permanent (up 29c to €19.14), Bank of Ireland (up 26c to €15.56) and Allied Irish Bank (up 23c to €21.27).

In the food and drink sector, Kerry Group was the main mover, shooting up 35c to €21, with IAWS not far behind, gaining 31c to €16.61. C&C Group also has a positive day, climbing 17c to €11.37.

There was mixed results in the construction sector, one of the worst affected in the recent slump. Kingspan was down a massive 64c to €20.26. There was better news for CRH, which recovered 22c to €35.80, and Grafton Group (up 15c to €11.30).

Pharmaceutical giant Elan regained some previous losses, shooting up 62c today to €14.52. Rival United Drug will be content to climb 10c to €4.05.

The other big gain of the day came for Iona, which jumped 34c to €4.15.

It was not all good news however, with FBD slumping 65c to €33.75. Irish Continental Group also had a bad day, falling 30c to €20.50.

Elsewhere in the travel sector, Ryanair was up 12c to €4.98, with Aer Lingus unchanged at €2.75.