SHARES in Dublin continued to follow international markets yesterday, as better then expected inflation figures and welcome US data came through. Dealers said trading was sluggish, however, with below normal volume during the day.

"We're seeing good interest across the leaders," one analyst said. "The FTSE and the Dow are both pushing ahead and recent data has been market supportive."

The market welcomed the May inflation figures, with analysts saying it removed any prospect of an immediate interest rate raise.

Among the financial shares, Allied Irish Banks gained 3p, to close the week at 520p, while Bank of Ireland rose 1p, ending on 720p. Anglo Irish dropped 1/2p to 86p.

Irish Life firmed 7p to close at 349p, while Irish Permanent dropped 2p, closing at 623p.

Of the main industrial stocks, Smurfit continued its rally on the back of a more optimistic outlook in its US operations. Also, at the company's annual general meeting this week, the chief executive, Dr Michael Smurfit, said he expected further price rises in paper products. Shares in the company ended the trading week up 3p at 198p.

CRH saw considerable interest throughout the day, but fell back to close 2p down at 668p.

Woodchester rose 4p, ending at 294p.

In the food sector, Kerry group remained steady at 655p, Fyffes climbed 1p to 96p, Greencore fell 5p to close at 345p, and Waterford Foods dropped 3p to 87p.

Industrial holdings company IWP, which announced an acquisition worth £38.5 million sterling dropped 2p to close at 325p.