Irish shares closed marginally weaker yesterday despite some fairly substantial trading. Financial stocks saw most of the action, with large volumes of AIB changing hands during the day. Dealers estimate some five million AIB shares were dealt, with good interest from buyers and sellers. Despite the level of activity, the shares were unable to make much progress, ending the day slightly higher at €9.55, up five cents.
Bank of Ireland fared better, managing to get back up to €7, a gain of seven cents. Irish Life & Permanent also attracted a good deal of attention which helped its shares to put on three cents to close at €8.50. Anglo Irish Bank was slightly stronger, gaining two cents to close at €2.30.
Among industrial leaders, CRH moved 20 cents higher to end the day at €18.70 and Smurfit was marginally better at €1.95 up two cents. Elan was weaker though, shedding €2 to €53.
Eircom continued to struggle, trading back close to its closing lows ending at €2.73, down five cents amid continuing uncertainty about the intentions of the company's large shareholders.
Fyffes managed to edge a bit higher, adding two cent to €1.08 but still nursing substantial losses.
In the agri-business sector, Glanbia dropped six cents to 66 cents, Golden Vale was two cents better at €1.12 and Kerry lost 10 cents to close at €13.90.
Other stocks on the move included Ryanair, which gained 10 cents to €8.60, and positive sentiment towards the Jurys Doyle hotel group on the back of strong results helped its shares to add 19 cents to €7.40.
