It was a day for the financial stocks yesterday. As banks around Europe stole the show, Ireland's three big players jumped on the bandwagon and after underperforming in recent times, yesterday excelled themselves.

Allied Irish was the biggest gainer, rising 3 per cent, or 66 cent, to end the day at €22.35. As many as 2.3 million shares changed hands. Meanwhile, Anglo was strong, adding 39 cent, or 2.4 per cent, to close at €16.59, though volumes were lighter.

Interest, however, was high in Bank of Ireland, which saw 3.3 million shares change hands as it closed up 32 cent, or 2 per cent, at €16.71.

Elsewhere, it was takeover rumours and speculation that fuelled the market movement, with several stocks benefiting from such sentiment and helping push the Iseq up more than 1 per cent.

Property investment group Blackrock was buoyed by talk of further stake building as 4.8 million shares changed hands. The stock jumped 6.4 per cent, or three cent, to close at 50 cent.

Drinks group C&C also benefited from takeover speculation with the longstanding rumour resurfacing that a European drinks group is interested in taking over its smaller Irish rival. The shares added 30 cent, or 2.5 per cent, to close at €12.55.

Property management group Veris was another star performer, jumping 6.4 per cent after one of its larger rivals received a takeover offer. The shares closed up 25 cent, at €4.15.

Moving in the other direction losers were hard to find, although CRH didn't fare too well. The building materials group fell 30 cent, or 1 per cent, to €32.79, a drop one dealer attributed to declines in the value of the US dollar.