Market Report:Key interest rate decisions influenced proceedings on the stock market yesterday, as did AIB's positive trading statement, with the Iseq index of Irish shares ending a good all-round day 2.35 per cent ahead.

The morning trade in London and Dublin started to price in a rumoured half point cut in the Bank of England rate, but when the announcement came, the cut was just a quarter of a percentage point, from 5.75 per cent to 5.5 per cent, which led to a dip in fortunes - especially among the financials - in the early afternoon. The European Central Bank (ECB) left its main rate on hold as expected.

The day still ended positively, with Irish Life & Permanent the best performer among the banks and the most significant climber overall, rising more than 6 per cent to close up 80 cent at €13.85.

Bank of Ireland added 42 cent to finish up 4 per cent at 10.87, while AIB climbed 3.3 per cent to €15.60, a gain of 50 cent on the day having earlier topped €16, while Anglo completed the set with a 2.6 per cent rise to €10.98, up 28 cent.

Elsewhere, Ryanair finished down almost 3 per cent at €4.40.

A block of 12 million shares in Total Produce sold at 60 cent, which is where the share price closed, down four cent.

C&C had a good day, with the cider group managing to climb 3.8 per cent to close at €4.17. Other food sector companies made gains, with Kerry up 3.3 per cent to €21.90, finishing 70 cent higher.

IAWS rose 3 per cent to €14.96, up 46 cent.

Greencore's share price increased more than 5 per cent, adding 22 cent to close at €4.30.