The market finished marginally ahead, in line with the trend in Europe. Volumes were unexceptional as all the leaders, with the exception of AIB, gained ground.

Settlement Date: July 7th

The main feature of trade was the boost for all DIY/building materials shares from the upbeat statement issued by Grafton early in the day. Grafton finished 20 cents stronger on €4.08, close to its 2003 high as 1.4 million shares changed hands.

Rival Heiton Holdings, which today reports full-year figures, moved ahead 10 cents to €3.25 while Kingspan was up 12 cents to €2.77. CRH continued its strong run this week, adding a further 21 cents to close at €14.15, with 1.6 million shares traded.

Among the banks, Bank of Ireland disclosed that it had bought back a further one million shares in the market on Tuesday at a price of €10.40½. The shares ended the session 13 cents stronger on €10.46. AIB gave up 18 cents to close on €12.60 in the heaviest trading of the day, with 6.5 million shares moved.

Anglo Irish also saw busy trade, closing up two cents on €7.70. Irish Life & Permanent was unchanged on €9.40 while First Active was also two cents firmer at €4.27.

Ryanair slipped slightly, giving up four cents to close at €6.22, while elsewhere in the industrials Independent News & Media and Waterford Wedgwood both finished unchanged after heavy trading.

Among the second-liners, it was a good day for Jurys, which more than recovered Tuesday's losses as it gained 12 cents to €8.45. Housebuilder McInerney was another to win back recently-lost ground, finishing at €2.76, up six cents.

Trade in Elan was light as investors await the company's delayed results. It ended up five cents at €5.05.