Market Report

Kingspan was one of the busiest stocks on a mildly positive Irish market yesterday, with some two million shares traded before the close.

Settlement Day: December 17th

The company was seven cents ahead at 4.05 by lunchtime but was knocked back in afternoon trade on news of a tardy director share purchase notification. Shares were supported however by a steady trading statement, finishing at 4, up two cents.

Grafton Group was also solid, adding five cents to close at €5.50 on reasonably heavy trade.

The financial sector was more or less flat on relatively light volume. AIB ended at 12.18, down four cents, while Bank of Ireland rose seven cents to 10.60. Anglo Irish was again firm as it climbed 19 cents to €12.29. Irish Life & Permanent also strengthened, rising seven cents to 11.95 as the market awaits next week's pre-close update.

Also thought to be mulling a trading statement is Jurys Doyle, which added 10 cents to finish at 9.90 yesterday. Takeover-target Gresham rose by six cents to 1.10 on light volume.

Improved US retail sales for November seemed to help Waterford Wedgwood, which closed four cents stronger at 25 cents as 17.8 million shares changed hands.

Fyffes also attracted good interest as industry figures showed European banana prices to have recovered sharply in the past couple of months. The company was one cent weaker at 1.57 at the close on volume of 1.4 million. Bank of Ireland Asset Management said it had raised its stake in the firm from 6 to 10 per cent.

Iona strengthened after a strong Thursday performance in the US, rising 40 cents to 4.70. Shares have more than doubled in value since the start of the year. Less fortunate yesterday was Oglesby & Butler, which shed 15 cents to close at 20 cents on minimal volume.