Food and tourism stocks recovered ground yesterday after losses on Thursday following news of the foot-and-mouth outbreak in Co Louth.

The largest food stock, Kerry Group, added 60 cents to close at €12.40. Golden Vale gained 13 cents to close at 80 cents after a bout of what traders described "overselling" of stocks throughout the sector on Thursday.

Glanbia added eight cents to finish at 58 cents. But there was further bad news for the company when Standard & Poor's affirmed its BBB- rating. The agency said its "negative outlook" rating followed the group's preliminary results for 2000 and the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Among hotel stocks, Jurys Doyle closed nine cents stronger at €8.20. Ryan Hotels gained two cents to close at 72 cents. Ryanair added 21 cents to close at €9.60.