Settlement Date: October 18th: Irish shares gained 3.6 per cent yesterday, buoyed by an international rally that saw most European markets log decent gains.
The leading stocks led the way as most of them posted strong rises over the course of the day.
Irish Life & Permanent led the charge, adding 90 cents, or 8 per cent, to close at €12.10, although volumes were modest.
Bank of Ireland finished 50 cents, or 5 per cent higher, at €10.10 after the bank released details of its offer to Abbey National, which was again rejected. The share price was driven by a feeling that the deal was now dead and speculation that the bank itself could now be in play, dealers said.
Meanwhile, AIB logged a more modest 20 cent gain to close at €12.50, while Anglo Irish Bank was up by 27 cents to €6.20.
CRH, whose management is currently on a roadshow meeting investors, surged by 70 cents to 13.20, while Ryanair was up by 27 cents to €5.80.
Other stocks to post solid rises included Kerry, up 25 cents to €12.80, and Greencore, which added 10 cents to €2.70.
Iona gained 25 cents to €2.20 ahead of the release of results later today. Grafton shares closed 15 cents higher at €3.45 as finance director Colm O'Nuallain confirmed the purchase of 30,000 shares in the group at prices between €3.30 and €3.40.
Shares in Independent News & Media closed two cents lower at €1.30 as its Australian subsidiary APN said it was on track to meet 2002 profit forecasts. Bank of Ireland Asset Management also confirmed itself as the recent large buyer of the stock, purchasing 15.7 million shares to take its stake in the group to 11 per cent.
