As Ryanair offers hiding place for investors, O’Leary flies closer to €100m pay-day

Ryanair boss of more than three decades, Michael O’Leary, entered his 65th year this week. And a milestone gift from stock market investors appears within his grasp.

Shares in Europe’s largest airline group have moved above €21 on 11 days in the past month – a level that, if sustained for 28 consecutive days, would unlock a €100 million pay-day for one of Ireland’s most successful, if divisive, businessmen.

But so far Ryanair has only managed to maintain three days – between last Tuesday and Thursday – closing at or above the key threshold that would trigger stock options leading to the large bonus.

It’s been here before. The stock briefly breached the key point for several days a year ago, before descending sharply. And it was back below again on Friday, changing hands at as low as €20.38.

Can it make a proper breakthrough and hold altitude?

The stoc...
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