A year of rich rewards Despite being rattled by Brexit, 2016 was still a year rich with opportunities, attractive returns and recovery Michael Murray December 23, 2016 It was in some sense a year of two halves, with the earlier part of the year favouring defensive stocks such as food, tobacco and household goods Previous Next Image 1 of 11 Photo by Eoin O'Hara Image 2 of 11 Photo by Eoin O'Hara Image 3 of 11 Photo by Eoin O'Hara Image 4 of 11 Photo by Eoin O'Hara Image 5 of 11 Photo by Eoin O'Hara Image 6 of 11 Photo by Eoin O'Hara Image 7 of 11 Pedestrians pass a Bank of Ireland branch in Dublin, Ireland, Saturday June 12, 2004. Allied Irish Banks Plc and Bank of Ireland Plc, the country's two biggest lenders, may draw bids from companies such as HBOS Plc and Barclays Plc after management changes and a probe into overcharging eroded investor trust. Photographer:John Cogill/Bloomberg News. Photo by Eoin O'Hara Image 8 of 11 Patrick Coveney,CEO Greencore. 310712©tos Photo by Eoin O'Hara Image 9 of 11 Picture: Maura Hickey. 05.05.16 Kingspan Group PLC AGM 2016 Gene Murtagh, CEO, Kingspan Group PLC . Photo by Eoin O'Hara Image 10 of 11 Photo by Eoin O'Hara Image 11 of 11 Pic. Maura Hickey. 04.05.11 CRH Annual General Meeting. Albert Manifold, Chief Operating Officer, CRH. Photo by Eoin O'Hara Insight Analysis & Opinion More Business Business LATEST NEWS20:44Business owner resigns as Labour councillor after WRC awards former employee €11,00019:50Tetrarch puts five-star Mount Juliet hotel on the market19:39Profits at Bank of America’s Irish arm surge16:47Flight risk: ten tips to get the best travel insurance this summer16:39Dublin Bus boss Billy Hann’s Diary: Keeping city moving while finding time for a laugh or two15:40Pitching for office: Limerick mayoral candidates tout credentials as campaign heats up