THE record CRH acquisition and the group's half year results were the main feature of yesterday's Dublin market. Both the £213 million Tilcon purchase and the 13 per cent rise in interim profits to £64.1 million were positively received by the market.

CRH rose 13 1/2p on the day to close at 615 1/2p and traders said they expected this upward trend to continue today.

Overall, the market picked up slightly after earlier jitters concerning the US missile attack on Iraq. Trading was described as "quite healthy".

Waterford Wedgwood's figures were said "to be in line with expectations" and the stock remained unchanged at 76p. Pre tax profits at Waterford Wedgwood increased by 28 per cent to £9.5 million in the six months to the end of June. Smurfit slipped back 5 1/4p to 160 1/4p as its half year results released on Tuesday were described as "disappointing" by traders. Movements in international paper pricing was said to be "bad news" for the company.

Among the financials, Bank of Ireland was a penny better at 450p while AIB closed 3p stronger at 345p. Irish Permanent was 3p firmer to close at 415p and Irish Life was 2p stronger at 237p.

Exploration company, Tullow, was unchanged at 109p in Dublin but in London there was a flurry of trading as six million shares changed hands. The stock dealt up 5p to 114p sterling in London on the back on positive rumours about drilling results from Pakistan due next week.

Shares in Dana dealt up 2p to 20p, as the market digested the positive news from its drilling programme in Siberia. The well may be able to produce 500-1,000 barrels of oil a day, Dana said.

Other stocks on the move included Hibernian, down 20p to 250p, Silvermines, up 3p to 80p, Greencore, down a penny to 309p, and Fyffes, 1p weaker at 103p.

Today's lead may come from the Irish credit figures, with the market expecting strong growth to be maintained in July.