Dublin report: "Boring" was the adjective used by one trader to describe activity in the Irish market yesterday.

However, despite the Iseq moving in what was generally a sideways direction for most of the day, it did manage to resume its climb and end the day up 7.64 points. Volumes, though, were mixed. CRH put in a good performance, benefiting yet again from positive results from its peers in the US, Eagle Materials and Martin Marietta. The shares added 14 cent, or 0.5 per cent, to close at €27.83.

DCC also fared well, rising 20 cent, or 0.9 per cent, to end the day at €21.40.

The financials put in a mixed performance, with Anglo Irish Bank hitting a new high amid decent demand, while Bank of Ireland stalled after announcing it had agreed to sell its 90 per cent stake in Davy to the stockbroking firm's management.

Bank of Ireland ended the day down nine cent, or 0.6 per cent, at €15.70, while Anglo was up 22 cent, or 1.6 per cent, at €14.27.

AIB was another in the doldrums as it ended the day down 13 cent, or 0.6 per cent, at €21.22. Irish Life & Permanent moved in the other direction, adding nine cent, or 0.5 per cent, to close at €19.34.

Dealers reported decent volumes in United Drug, although the stock failed to capitalise on the interest, slipping three cent, or 0.8 per cent, to €3.65.

Activity in the airlines was subdued, with Ryanair slipping two cent, or 0.2 per cent, to end the day at €8.83 and Aer Lingus holding steady above the Ryanair offer price. It ended the session two cent, or 0.7 per cent, firmer at €2.85.

Dealers also reported ongoing demand for Independent News & Media following its announcement that it was seeking to acquire Australian media group APN. The shares, however, advanced only one cent, or 0.4 per cent, to end the day at €2.64.