The Irish market rebounded slightly yesterday despite the absence of corporate newsflow to provide direction to a wavering market.

Performances among the main stocks were mixed, though most picked up towards the end of the day as the US markets moved upwards following the release of strong economic data.

Volumes were light across the board, although AIB and Anglo Irish Bank still saw some buying interest, traders said. Both stocks added 10 cent, with AIB ending the day at €17 and Anglo closing at €11.

The other financials also ended the session among the gainers. Bank of Ireland recovered some of its earlier losses to close up two cent at €12.65, while Irish Life & Permanent gained five cent to finish the day on €14.30.

Elsewhere, drinks and snacks maker C&C reversed Thursday's declines, adding seven cent to €5.15.

IAWS was also among those firming yesterday, rising seven cent to close at €11.47, while food group Kerry rose 10 cent to close at €17.25.

Paddy Power gained five cent to end the day at €14.10 on very light volumes. Trading in Ryanair was also light. The company, which reports interim figures shortly, added three cent to end the day at €6.78.

Moving in the other direction, building materials group CRH lost 10 cent to close at €20.45. Kingspan continued to give up ground, closing off five cent at €9.50.

Jurys Doyle was another to slip at the end of the week, surrendering 11 cent to close at €18.54.

Elsewhere, pharmaceutical group Elan held its ground after dropping on Thursday on what traders said was a pretty upbeat earnings announcement. The stock ended the day at €6.80.

Readymix, which lost managing director Joe Doyle yesterday just a couple of months after chief financial officer Frank Lynch, finished two cent stronger at €2.28, albeit in light volume.

Settlement Day: November 2nd