WITH major European markets powering ahead on the back of higher-than-expected economic growth and a bullish report from Japan on demand for semiconductors, the Irish market pushed ahead steadily although volumes were low.
Investors were apparently willing to bid up stock prices but New York's closure for Thanksgiving inhibited investors from getting too heavily involved. The bullish report from the Semiconductor Industry Association in Japan drove electronics and telecom stocks ahead and Eircom had a much-needed good day after its recent problems, adding eight cents to €4.15 (£3.27).
CRH also did well, hitting a high of €19.50 before closing 30 cents higher on €19.30 (£15.20), while Elan continued to benefit from recent bullish analyst comment, ending €1.05 higher on €27.75 (£21.85). Smurfit added five cents to €2.65 (£2.09).
Financials were generally firmer, with AIB up 10 cents on €13.40 (£10.55). Bank of Ireland gained five cents to €8.40 (£6.62), while Irish Life & Permanent was three cents firmer on €10.50 (£8.27).
Among the second-liners, Ryanair - given support by Bord Failte in its campaign for lower landing charges at Dublin - gained 15 cents to €10.15 (£7.99).
Elsewhere, Waterford Wedgwood eased a cent to 94 cents (74p). The group has issued 328,973 shares to cover its scrip dividend.
Greencore was unchanged on €2.57 (£2.02) ahead of results on Monday. Davy expects EU levies on quota sugar and the impact of the hurricane season on Imperial Holly to produce earnings below its forecast of 34.9 cents per share but still ahead of last year's 32.7 cents.
Jurys lost 15 cents to €7.55 (£5.95), McInerney was eight cents firmer on €1.80 (£1.42), Unidare gained seven cents to €1.82 (£1.43) while, on the Neuer Markt, Trintech gained 50 cents to €28.20 (£35.81).
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