Iseq index outperforms in 2023 thanks to huge climb by Ryanair shares

Irish bank shares rise may have run its course, while Kingspan at €14.2bn has overtaken Kerry Group in terms of market worth

Ryanair shares climbed 58% this year in anticipation it will generate annual after-tax profits of €2bn.

The Iseq index of Irish shares has risen 24% through the year, marking one of best gains for European stock markets, but the performance is mostly thanks to huge gains secured by Ryanair, as the run for Irish bank shares appears to have run its course.  

The gains compare with the modest rise of 3% posted by London's Ftse-250 shares index, which includes companies that generate a large proportion of their earnings in Britain, and the respective gains of 16% and 20% secured by the Cac-40 index in Paris and by the Dax index in Frankfurt.