Market Report: The Dublin market was one of the few to end in positive territory yesterday with the banks underpinning a relatively strong performance.

Settlement Day: June 25th

An upbeat statement from AIB signalling that its profits will grow by more than 10 per cent this year pleased investors and prompted some upgrades.

AIB shares rose by 20 cent to end at €12.55 in what dealers described as fairly patchy trading.

While the €50 million cost of its overcharging of customers on foreign exchange transactions will impact on this year's earnings, analysts are optimistic about the prospect of a good outturn in the following year.

Bank of Ireland shares continued to go from strength to strength ending the session up 18 cent at €10.95. The bank has been meeting with investors in recent weeks and since then buyers have entered the market seeking the shares.

Irish Life & Permanent was stronger ahead of a trading statement today with the market expecting it will deliver good news.

The shares moved 20 cent higher to end at €12.90. Anglo Irish Bank failed to make gains with the share shedding 7 cent to end at €12.93.

CRH faired better than its international peers but ended the day down 2 cent at €17.06.

C&C was in demand and has been enjoying a bit of a run in recent days. Yesterday the shares gained 3 cent to €2.35.

Eircom was one cent better at €1.40 while Elan was unchanged at €18.20.

Fyffes was stronger adding 7 cent to €1.73 with dealers reporting decent buying interest in the stock.

Heiton shares were unchanged at €6.60 while Grafton shares were 5 cent weaker at €6.38.

DCC shares were 4 cent better at €14 while Independent News & Media shed 3 cent to end at €1.90.

Kerry shares moved 5 cent ahead to €17.20 while Waterford Wedgwood shares were up one cent at 18 cent.