Dublin Report: The Dublin market was relatively quiet overall with dealers reporting thin trading, although there were plenty of buyers around for AIB and Independent News & Media.
AIB shares were in good demand throughout the day and enjoyed a bit of a rally as the week ended.
During the session the shares had a look at €16 but settled back to close at €15.80, up 16 cent or just over 1 per cent. The bank's senior executives have been meeting investors in recent weeks presenting the bank's future prospects.
Among the other financial stocks, Anglo Irish Bank lost some ground and ended the week at €20, down five cent. Bank of Ireland's performance was fairly muted during the day, though the stock managed to end in positive territory, adding three cent to €12.40. Irish Life & Permanent also ended ahead with the stock gaining five cent to €14.10.
The other talking point in the market was the sale of sizeable chunk of Independent News & Media shares. Some 7.5 million shares were offered for sale by a London broker and sold at £2.39 (€3.44).
In Dublin 4.4 million Independent News & Media shares traded. By close of business the stock had gained 4 per cent, ending at €2.39, up nine cent. The company, which announced results earlier this week, is meeting investors.
Ryanair recovered some ground as oil prices stabilised after hitting new highs in recent days. The shares ended the week at €5.90, up 10 cent.
CRH had a reasonable performance closing 15 cent up on €20.57.
Paddy Power went 10 cent better to end at €14.30 with some signs that the bookmaker may have done well at Cheltenham.
DCC shares struggled and ended 34 cent lower at €17.10. There was no specific news associated with the decline, with some dealers suggesting it may reflect negative sentiment arising out of the ongoing court case between the company and Fyffes.
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