A financial technology company is to create almost 500 jobs in Co Down.

Newry-based specialist technology firm First Derivatives is expecting to meet full-year financial targets, despite seeing a double digit percentage decline in first half profits.

Specialist technology firm First Derivatives has said it expects its pending full-year results to meet current market estimates, although a one-off bad debt provision of around £1.2m (€1.4m) is anticipated.

Northern Ireland software firm First Derivatives posted a 10% increase in pre-tax profits for the six months to the end of August.

Pre-tax profit at capital markets service provider First Derivatives increased by 7% to £6.9m (€8.6m) for the 12 months ending Feb 29.

EUROPEAN markets were down yesterday, with investors jittery ahead of today’s EU summit meeting in Brussels — the second in four days — amid concerns that leaders may struggle to find a solution to the eurozone debt crisis.

SPECIALIST Irish technology firm First Derivatives has said that it has made a strong start to the second half of its financial year; building on a good first six months.

Stormont leaders are set for another stateside mission in search of potential investors.

NEWRY-BASED specialist technology firm First Derivatives has forecast continued growth in its current year, after seeing profits rise by just over 15% last year.

Ten jobs are to be created at an independent living facility in Co Laois, it was announced today.

Newry: Software consulting services First Derivatives FDP, which specialises in services to global investment banks and hedge funds, has announced a joint venture with Trading Cross Connects US (TXC).

The Irish Stock Exchange ignored talks of economic doom today to post a gain of 23.12 points to finish on 2,798.47.

FIRST Derivatives, which provides software and other services to the international capital markets, has reported a strong first half, with sales up by more than 56%.

The ISEQ index of Irish shares lost 18.31 points to slip to 2,694.77 today.

More than 100 jobs will be created after a US technology company said it was establishing a European centre in the North.

BRIAN CONLON, the founder and chief executive of Newry firm First Derivatives plc, is the 13th Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

FIRST Derivatives – the Newry-based specialist technology company – has reported a 27% rise in full-year pre-tax profits, to £5.64 million (€6.56m).

NORTHERN IRISH specialised technology company, First Derivatives has completed the acquisition of Dublin firm, Cognotec for $4.7m (€3.45m).

NEWRY-based technology company, First Derivatives has reached agreement to buy Dublin firm, Cognotec from receivership, for an undisclosed sum.

FIRST Derivatives, the Newry-based technology company, has made its second significant overseas investment in as many weeks with a $10 million (€6.6m) acquisition of New Jersey-based software firm, Reference Data Factory (RDF).

DUBLIN-listed financial services technology company, First Derivatives has said that it is on course to deliver increased profits for its current fiscal year after posting a record set of first-half figures.

NORTHERN Ireland specialist technology firm First Derivatives has reported a strong set of full-year results – for the 12 months to the end of February – and has expressed confidence for further growth in its current fiscal year.

BANKING stocks enjoyed another good day’s trading yesterday as the ISEQ index of shares in Dublin crept forward marginally by 12.12, or just under half a percent, to 2,758.31 points.

The ISEQ index of Irish shares suffered some small losses in this morning's early trading.

IRISH technology company First Derivatives has acquired Australian software provider, Lepton Solutions for Aus$2.2 million (€1.15m).

There was jobs joy for the North today as US sandwich chain Subway said it planned to generate up to 400 jobs across the North over the next two years.

Software company Unitas Software has been named as the North’s fastest growing tech company after it broke into the top 10 of this year’s Deloitte Technology Fast 50.

NEWRY-based financial services IT support company, First Derivatives is actively pursuing acquisition opportunities in the Australasia region, in the coming months, as it seeks to significantly expand its international presence.

NORTHERN Irish financial services IT support company First Derivatives has made its first acquisition — buying US company Marketing Resource Partners (MRP) for $20 million (€14.09m).

Shares in Irish-based investment group, Boundary Capital began trading today on IEX, the Irish Stock Exchange’s specialist market for small to mid-sized companies today.

Ernst & Young has announced the Irish shortlist for the 2005 Entrepreneur of the Year Programme.