STRONG demand for some of the leaders, continued growth on Wall Street and a supportive London market all combined to push the Irish market to a new all-time high. And with bid interest in the likes of AIB and CRH at the close, dealers believe that further gains are in prospect - barring a late slump on Wall Street.
AIB was in heavy demand and, boosted by a possible Moodys upgrade - dealt up 10p to a new high of 428p. Other financials also benefited from the positive tone, with Bank of Ireland up 5p to 757p while Irish Permanent moved to another new high with a 5p jump to 530p.
Irish Life, however, was hit by concerns over possible industrial action and closed down 5p on 271p.
Industrials were generally firmer and CRH dealt up 10p to 640p with strong demand from London after news of a broker upgrade. Smurfit was 2 1/2p higher on 169 1/2p - JS Corp made presentations to Irish analysts yesterday which were seen as cautiously positive for the current year. JS Corp itself was $1/4 firmer on $15 1/4 in New York.
Among second-liners,
Greencore added 3p to 378p ahead of results today from 27 per cent associate Imperial Holly. James Crean initially fell 7p to 173p before closing unchanged on 180p but brokers warned that if the group's results due in the next couple of months do not show positive signs then the shares - which once enjoyed an enthusiastic institutional fan club may be set for a further fall.
Fyffes remained firmly bid and closed up 1/2p on 118p - 5p off its 123p five-year high. DCC gained 5p to 290p, Independent was 10p firmer on 335p.
Mclnerney continued its impressive run since the revamped company was relisted earlier this month at 35p, closing up 1p on 72p.
