Dublin report:Anglo Irish Bank and C&C were the stars of the show yesterday as the Irish market put in a stellar performance, closing at its highest level in almost two weeks.
Shares in drinks and snacks maker C&C jumped 6.4 per cent amid speculation that SAB Miller, one of the world's leading brewers, may be plotting a bid for the Irish company that has become known for the success of its Magners and Bulmers cider brand.
Both companies declined to comment on what they called market rumour, but dealers said the speculation arose from comments made earlier in the week by a member of SAB Miller at a conference in Poland.
The shares closed up 74 cent, at €12.24, with more than 3.2 million units changing hands.
Anglo Irish, meanwhile, rose on the back of very positive sentiment surrounding its better-than-expected full-year results. Analysts were last night upgrading their 2007 forecasts after the bank revealed a 38 per cent jump in pretax profits to €850 million and said the outlook for 2007 remained very strong.
The shares added 49 cent, or 3.4 per cent, to end the day at €14.84.
More than 8.8 million units changed hands.
This strong performance helped lift the other banks, which were all gainers, with Irish Life & Permanent the best of the rest, up 51 cent, or 2.7 per cent, at €19.71. Bank of Ireland added 40 cent, or 2.5 per cent, to close at €16.75, while AIB was up 40 cent, or 1.9 per cent, at €21.70.
Elsewhere, CRH continued the gains seen over the past few days, rising 42 cent, or 1.5 per cent, to close at €28.77.
Kerry and Kingspan also put in good showings, rising 39 cent, and 19 cent respectively, to close at €18.58 and €17.26.
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