WITH the US non farm payroll figures not having anything like a devastating effect on markets (the Dow was actually up over 50 points at the Dublin close), Dublin closed marginally ahead. Trading was generally thin, although there was some sizeable trading in AIB and Smurfit, while bid and drilling speculation kept trading in Tullow at a high level.

AIB and Bank of Ireland both drifted 1p lower to 354p and 454p respectively while CRH came back from a low of 610p to close down on the day at 615p. CRH is well supported at these levels, however, and seems more likely to go up than fall back. Smurfit gained 2p to 164p. Irish Life gained 2p to 237p.

Among second liners, James Crean - which reports interim results next week - jumped 15p to 220p while Independent - also reporting next week - was 2p lower on 290p. Kingspan gained 10p to 420p after its excellent interims and Goodbody has hiked up its full year profit forecast from £10.1 million to £11 million and its earnings forecast from 25p to 31.4p.