Trading in Marlborough International shares got off to a good start yesterday, as the Dublin market clawed backed some of Tuesday's slump in prices. Placed at 96p, the shares had an initial put-through at that price. They were subsequently traded at 110p to 115p in a number of deals and closed at 112p, a premium of 16p on the placing price.

A spokesman for NCB Stockbrokers, adviser to Marlborough, said: "Given the general market conditions, there was healthy trading" in the shares. There was "good trading by institutional and private shareholders". It was a good performance for the debut of the recruitment company on Dublin's Development Capital Market and London's Alternative Investment Market. Trading was helped by the partial recovery in the Dublin market but the placing price of 96p had an institched premium compared with comparable shares in London.

The placing, which raised £6 million, had been oversubscribed four times. There has been strong institutional support. Marlborough intends to use the new cash to fund acquisitions in Britain and to grow its existing substantial Irish recruitment business.