NCB Stockbrokers points to Irish Continental Group as a good buy for investors. In its latest report on the group, the broker says the ICG growth story looks very much intact with the outlook for shipping services into and out of the Republic expected to remain favourable over the medium term.

It accepts that a number of uncertainties must still be taken into account but that each one looks surmountable. The shares have suffered in the general setback in the Irish market and could go lower in the short term given the current weakness in confidence. However, with sustainable earnings growth of 15 per cent over the next two to three years, the shares nonetheless offer excellent value, according to NCB.