Trading in Irish equities rose 11% in first half of year

The Irish Stock Exchange said trading in Irish equities rose 11 per cent to €48.8 billion in the first six months of the year even as the Iseq index fell 17 per cent amid mounting global uncertainty and the Brexit decision.

However, trading in government bonds slumped 23.2 per cent to €123 billion, the ISE said in a statement.

Debt listings on the bourse grew 2.7 per cent in the second quarter to 27,991, including new debt instrument by Spanish lender Banco de Sabadell, Spanish infrastructure group Sacyr and US insurer Liberty Mutual.

The first half of the year only saw one initial public offering, as Draper Esprit, a venture capital firm focused on the IT sector, raised €102 million.

Flotations have fallen significantly globally so far this year amid volatile equity markets.

Elsewhere, Dalata Hotel Group transferred its listing from the junior segment of the exchange to the main securities market last month.