There was a more positive feel to the Irish market yesterday with many of the larger stocks stronger across the board. Despite light volumes, the ISEQ managed to buck the trend of international markets to close the day 1.5 per cent stronger, up 71.95 points to 4,812.88.

AIB managed to recover some ground lost after its recent turmoil. It picked up 22 cents to €12.17, although the number of shares traded was light at less than 900,000. Elsewhere among the financials, Bank of Ireland also enjoyed a good day on light volumes, advancing 19 cents to €10.86. Irish Life & Permanent was 35 cents stronger at €12.51, while Anglo Irish Bank eased back one cent to €4.50.

Among the other large stocks, Elan also had a quiet day in terms of volume and managed to gain some ground, edging up 24 cents to €16.73 on the Irish market. CRH gained 18 cents to close the day at €19.18. Ryanair was 15 cents stronger at €6.45 on the back of comments by chief executive Mr Michael O'Leary that he expected the low-fares airline to beat analysts' forecasts in the fiscal year to March 2003.

Smurfit enjoyed a good run, finishing the day at €2.42, up seven cents. Kerry also put in a solid performance, picking up 27 cents to €15.50.

Elsewhere, a lot of the smaller names were quite active. Fyffes, which has been under pressure in recent weeks due in part to the long-term litigation against DCC, rallied some 6 per cent in trading yesterday, helped by good numbers released by Del Monte during the day. It closed the day up seven cents at €1.17. Heiton dropped back 13 cents to €2.90, while Waterford Wedgwood was one cent stronger at €0.76 on reasonable volumes.