Ryanair was the buzzword in the Irish market yesterday as a strong performance by the low-cost airline helped push the Iseq in an upwards direction.

In fact it was just like old times, as the index added 77.40 points to close at a new record high.

Dealers reported decent volumes across the board, though Ryanair stole the limelight with yet another better-than-expected earnings statement and full-year profit forecast upgrade.

Shares in the airline rose 6.8 per cent, or 76 cent, to end the day at €11.98, with 8.3 million units changing hands.

As well as revealing a 30 per cent increase in net profit for the three months to the end of December - typically a quiet time for the airline industry, Ryanair also raised its forecast for full year profit by 11 per cent to €390 million.

Elsewhere other stocks reaped the benefit of Ryanair's gains and jumped on the bandwagon.

Aer Lingus was one of those, adding five cent, or 1.8 per cent, to close at €2.85 on no news of its own.

Financials were a mixed bag, with dealers reporting decent demand yet again for Anglo, which last week announced the placing of 35.7 million new shares.

More than 3.8 million shares changed hands yesterday as the stock closed up 10 cent, at €16.30, following weekend reports that it planned to cut its funding costs by using Asset Covered Securities when enabling legislation is brought in later this year.

AIB meanwhile added 15 cent, to €22.85, while Bank of Ireland slipped three cent, to €17.57.

Fyffes and Irish Life & Permanent didn't fare so well.

Fyffes dropped four cent, or 3.5 per cent, to end the day at €1.10, while Irish Life was down 63 cent, or 2.9 per cent, at €21.47.