Share prices rebounded strongly after Thursday's Intel-induced weakness, with the Dublin market taking its cue from strong gains in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Milan and New York. There were gains all across the board with CRH and the financials the strongest on the day.
CRH was in big demand and closed up 38p on a new high of 983p as investors responded favourably to the 1997 results. AIB - which confirmed plans to redeem $180 million (£132.7 million) worth of preference shares in the second quarter - peaked at 923p before closing 8p higher on 918p while Bank of Ireland was 15p higher on £13.80.
Other financials also notched up strong gains and Irish Permanent gained 30p to £10.10 while Irish Life was 4p higher on 539p.
Elsewhere, Independent regained some ground after Thursday's sharp fall and closed up 20p on 440p. Ardagh was 7p higher on 160p as a boardroom shake-up prompted by Yeoman and Mercury accompanied the half-year results. Clondalkin was 15p easier on 760p, DCC also lost 15p to 655p while Fyffes traded solidly and closed up 2p on 165p.
Greencore gained 4p to 375p after Elementis stated that it would not be rushed into any sale of Pauls Malt while Kerry drifted off its high to close down 10p on 915p. Smurfit gained 6p to 196p while Waterford Wedgwood was unchanged on 117p ahead of full-year results next week.
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