Iseq positive in morning trading

The Iseq index of shares has had a positive morning with the index showing a 24.51 point rise up to 2,727.65 by 11am.

The main contributors to the rise are food group Kerry, up 59c to €15.82, and bookmakers Paddy Power, up 25c to €16.65. Also aiding the rise was business service company DCC, who are up 19c to €14.30.

The financial sector was largely positive also with Bank of Ireland climbing 13c to €1.82 and AIB up one cent to €1.75. Irish Life and Permanent remained stable on €2.95.

Elsewhere, stocks were mixed - two construction rivals, CRH and Kingspan, saw their share prices increase by 11c to €17.05 and 12c to €4.20 respectively, but shipping group Irish Continental tumbled 60c to €9.90 and Smurfit Kappa slipped 17c to €3.55.