SHARE prices in Dublin rebounded strongly with good support from international markets, with dealers reporting good buying interest from both domestic and overseas investors. Bond prices, however, edged weaker as the pound slipped against sterling and moved through its notional 2.5 per cent against the German mark.
On the equity market, most of the leaders gained ground with CRH up 6p on 636p while Smurfit was 3p firmer on 370p. Financial shares were mixed, however, with Bank of Ireland slipping 3p to 508p while AIB closed just 1p firmer on 390p after hitting 394p earlier in the day. Irish Life saw some strong demand and added 2p to 266p.
Elsewhere, the movements were generally upward and Independent jumped 7 1/2p to 327 1/2p as it confirmed that it now holds almost 67 per cent of Wilson & Horton. Independent seems resigned to the fact that it may end up with a minority of shareholders who want to remain with W&H. Golden Vale saw some demand and added 2p to 67p while Ardagh added 8p to 135p.
Greeneore was firmer by 3p closing at 358p as 27 per cent associate Imperial Holly reported a turnaround. Analysts believe that Imperial Holly will move from a full-year 1996 loss of $5.1 million to a $23 million-plus profit next year. All good news for Greencore and its first major overseas investment.
Lyons - which remains the focus of Unilever's 323p final offer - dealt at 300p although size was miniscule.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/VR3765MFOBH2NMV2QNICYDF67M.png)