MARKET REPORT: The market made progress yesterday, gaining around 0.6 per cent, but dealers said volumes remained light outside the leading stocks.

Settlement Date: April 8th

There was good trading in AIB, with around 4.7 million shares changing hands, although the shares held steady to close at €12.90. Dealers said speculation about the bank's buyback programme was rife but there was no evidence that the bank had been in the market yet.

Bank of Ireland shares added 14 cents to 10.00 amid contradictory advice from a number of brokers, some advocating switching out of AIB into Bank of Ireland and others the opposite course of action.

CRH bounced back after Wednesday's losses, adding 24 cents to 13.24. Ryanair gained five cents to 6.30 after releasing monthly traffic figures showing a 39 per cent increase in passenger numbers year-on-year.

Kerry added 16 cents to 12.80 following the recent announcement of further bolt-on acquisitions in the US while Galen also continued to make progress on news of additions to its dermatology portfolio, adding 10 cents to 6.35.

Iona provided one of the few news stories on the day, shedding 15 cents or 7 per cent of its value in Dublin to 1.90 after issuing a first-quarter profit warning. In the US, where it is mainly traded, it was down 30 per cent by the Irish close.

Nearly three million shares in Independent News & Media were traded, as the stock added three cents to 1.35. Dealers said there has been good activity in it on foot of the recent balance sheet restructuring and rights issue with some investors in favour of it and other less certain.

Readymix shares were down one cent to 1.55, the only mover among the companies currently the subject of corporate activity.