The ISEQ managed to reverse earlier losses to close marginally ahead, up 8 points on 5884 helped by a strong performance by Anglo Irish Bank.
Anglo Irish Bank today announced strong full year figures with pre-tax profits up 50 per cent to euro 133 million. At close of trading its shares had gained 6 six cents to euro 3.41. Irish Life & Permanent was up 13 cents to 12.60 on a day when its euro 500 million acquisition of TSB was formally approved.
Among the other financials, AIB closed off 10 cents on euro 12.80 while Bank of Ireland eased ahead one cent to euro 10.43.
Eircom made good gains closing on euro 2.60, a rise of seven cents. Tech stock Horizon gained 10 cents to euro 7.40 while Independent eased ahead two cents to euro 3.05.
There was bad news all round for food stocks with Kerry down 10 cents to euro 13.40, Golden Vale off four cents to euro 1.00, Glanbia down one cent on euro 0.62 while Fyffes dropped two cents to euro 1.01.
Other losers include Riverdeep off 40 cents to euro 4.30, Abbey off four cents to 3.70 and Elan down 42 cents to euro 57.65.