Strong gains by the bigger financial shares drove the Irish market to just short of its all-time high yesterday. And with most international markets in better shape yesterday, dealers said there is a realistic possibility that a new high may be reached today. And with the Nasdaq bounding ahead after the better-than-expected figures from Oracle, most of the Irish technology stocks - with the inevitable exception of Baltimore - made solid gains.

There was sizeable trading in both big bank stocks but both AIB and Bank of Ireland came off their best levels before the close. Bank of Ireland traded as high as €11.35 before closing up 19 cents to €11.06 while AIB hit a high of €13.35 before ending 33 cents higher on €13.23.

Food stocks continued to attract attention following Kerry's approach to Golden Vale. Glanbia, which traded heavily on Monday, once again dealt in size although the stock was unchanged on €0.90. The 1.6 million shares dealt include a single line of one million shares. Golden Vale eased a cent to €1.47 but Kerry continued to weaken and lost 33 cents to €13.00 albeit in thin volumes. Fyffes - boosted by earnings upgrades after bullish AGM comments - traded as high as €1.04 before closing 4 cents higher on €1.02.

CRH recovered from some early weakness when it hit a low of €20.18 to close unchanged on €20.60 while Smurfit was another to recover from some early selling and ended 3 cents higher on €2.15. Despite a Morgan Stanley downgrade, Ryanair gained 18 cents to €12.13.

Most Irish technology stocks, including Iona, Smartforce, Conduit and recent laggard Trintech made good gains against the background of two per cent early gains by the Nasdaq. But Baltimore remains friendless and hit 38 1/2p before closing 4 1/4p lower on 40 3/4p sterling, a new low.