Nasty news from the US jobs market failed to dampen the positive new-year trend on the ISEQ yesterday, with Dublin shares ending the day well ahead of their European counterparts.
The financial sector was the most positive driver on the Irish market, with most banks ending the week in strong form.
AIB finished six cents higher at €13.20, while Bank of Ireland moved up 25 cents to €11.30, its highest level since last March.
Anglo Irish also won ground, rising 10 cents to €12.75. Irish Life and Permanent failed to catch the positive trend, however, with shares down five cents at €13.00 by the end of the session.
The heavyweight industrials were also a touch weaker at the close, with CRH a notable loser as the market focused on its dollar exposure. Shares declined by eight cents to €16.80.
Ryanair lost all of Thursday's gains as it dropped 19 cents to €6.65 on solid volume.
Upbeat trading guidance from UK leisure software retailer, Game, lent some support to DCC, which is also a significant UK distributor of game software. Shares in the firm rose 15 cents to €11.33.
Paddy Power was boosted by bullish statements from William Hill. Shares moved up eight cents to €7.58.
Sellers were dominant in Greencore, as analysts raised doubts about rumours that the stock could attract a bid worth up to €4.00 per share. The stock fell nine cents to €3.55.
Iona strengthened on a confident trading statement from US peer, Seebeyond, closing 15 cents higher at €4.55.
Waterford Wedgwood also did well, rising one cent to 26 cents as two US luxury retailers carrying the firm's goods reported an uptick in US sales. The effect of the ever-weakening dollar on the firm's debt ratios and banking covenants remains to be seen.
Recruitment firm, CPL, posted the most surprising move of the day when it closed 15 cents stronger at 90 cents on low volume.
Dublin Report
Settlement Day: January 14th
