ISEQ starts year in fine form
The ISEQ index of Irish shares started 2006 in buoyant form this morning gaining 86.20 points to 7450.16, over 1%, by 11am.
Bookmaker Paddy Power jumped 50c top €12.60, following their announcement of the appointment of Tom Grace as a non-executive director of the Company with immediate effect.
Mr Grace has been involved with a number of high profile receiverships and liquidations throughout his career and, in 1998, he was appointed by the High Court to investigate the affairs of National Irish Bank.
He is also well known as a former rugby international. He won 25 international rugby caps for Ireland between 1972 and 1978 and captained the side on eight occasions. He also toured as a British and Irish Lion in 1974.
The financials enjoyed mostly good fortunes. AIB saw the largest increase rising 46c to €18.51, Bank of Ireland rose 29c to €13.60 and Anglo Irish Bank rose 13c to €12.45.
Irish Life and Permanent bucked the trend, falling 16c to €17.10.
Pharmaceutical company Elan rose 39c to €11.79.
