Market Report: Dealers said the stock had given up a bit of ground on news that a 7 per cent stake in the company had reverted to the founding shareholders.

"It means there is now an overhang in the market. At some stage, 7 per cent of the company will be back on the table," one dealer noted.

Overall, the stock market finished on a positive note yesterday, adding more than 1 per cent as it took its cue from Wall Street where strong earnings reports from the likes of Caterpillar and eBay led to a bounce in the Dow.

In Dublin, financial stocks enjoyed a lift although volumes remained relatively light.

AIB added 21 cents to €12.60, Bank of Ireland was up 10 cents to €10.50, Anglo gained 15 cents to €13.45 while Irish Life & Permanent lagged with a gain of just two cents to €13.72.

Recent dollar strength and positive soundings from the construction sector in the US helped CRH break out of its recent trading range and add 36 cents to €17.77.

Ryanair also fared well, helped by positive sentiment toward the sector after Boeing said it expected to top first- quarter estimates. The shares closed 21 cents, or 4.4 per cent higher, at €4.97.

Other gainers on the day included Elan, which added 35 cents or nearly 2 per cent, to €19.20.

In the food sector, Kerry gave up some of its recent gains, closing seven cents lower at €16.36.

Fyffes was active, with more than two million shares traded, although the stock gained just one cent to €1.64.

IAWS added four cents to €9.51 as its 22 per cent associate, Swiss baker Hiestand, reported better-than-expected results for 2003 while Donegal Creameries was up 15 cents to €4.15 in the wake of its 2003 results.