ISEQ edging up

The ISEQ index of Irish shares was marginally up in early trading this morning, gaining 8 points to 2,454.44 by 11.50am.

Notable movers included research and development company Icon, jumping 1.21 to 11.70; Kerry Group, up 28c to 15.60; builders' merchants Grafton, rising 20c to 2.59; Merrion Pharmaceuticals, rising 15c to 3.15; C&C, cheering 13c to 1.71, and Elan Corp, up 4c to 4.51.

On the fallers' board, travel and ferry operator Irish Continental dropped 1.00 to 13.00; Paddy Power shed 15c to 14.80; CRH slipped 12c to 17.23 and Ryanair was down 5c to 3.37.

Fortunes were mixed among the financials, with AIB and Bank of Ireland both down, 3c to 0.90 and 1c to 0.71 respectively, while Irish Life & Permanent however jumped 10c to 1.92.