The Iseq index fell 8.94 points yesterday to close at 3,191.31. There was growing concern about the impact that higher oil prices would have on growth and a G20 meeting over the weekend failed to provide reassurance about international help to crisis-stricken Europe.

THE ISEQ index rebounded past the 2,500 mark in early trading, lifted by investors on the lookout for bargains.

AGRI-SERVICES company, Origin Enterprises is to expand its nutritional services division with a £25 million (€28m) takeover of British company CM Fertilisers.

USUALLY, my column contains my musings and trenchant opinions, but today, it’s about my story, or more specifically, that of Celtic Bookmakers.

FYFFES has maintained its full-year earnings guidance of between €14 million and €18m, despite tough trading conditions knocking nearly €5m off its first-half profits.

IRISH pharmaceutical services company and clinical trials specialist, Icon, has reported a 17% increase in full-year operating profit to $116 million (€86m) for last year.

BRITISH bookmaker William Hill has reported excellent business on its online platform among its Irish customers, as part of a trading update for the 13 weeks to the end of December.

FYFFES has said that the harsh winter weather had an effect on trading towards the end of last year, but still expects profits for 2009 to come in at the upper end of its previously guided range of between €18 million and €22m.

FRUIT distribution giant Fyffes is expecting its full-year adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) for 2008 to come in at about €15 million — the high-end of its previous guidance and ahead of most analyst expectations.

GRAFTON Group could prove a beacon of light for Irish construction-based stocks next year by remaining profitable, according to one leading stockbroking firm.

Horizon Technology Group, a leading system integrator and distributor of information technology products in the UK and Ireland, announces its interim results for the six months to June 30 2007.

APN News & Media, in which Independent News & Media has a 38.3% shareholding, today announced a record interim net profit after tax and before non-recurring items of AUD$73.2m (€45.2m) for the six months ended June 30 2007, up 5% on the prior year.

IRISH FERRIES operator Irish Continental Group yesterday reported a fall in sales and profits.

SEA ferry company Irish Continental Group would like to buy Aer Lingus from the Irish Government and say they have the financial clout to close the deal.

LOSSES of £47.8m at iTouch outstripped turnover of £33.6m as a result of a £30m write-down of the value of acquisitions.