Market report: Signals were mixed in the Irish market yesterday, with several stocks hitting 52-week, if not record highs, while the overall market lost ground. Volumes were good across the board.

Food group IAWS continued its recent gains, putting in a stellar performance and closing at another high. The shares added 70 cent, or 4.1 per cent, to close at €17.80.

On the other hand, Aer Lingus was, for a change, among the losers, falling below €2.80 - the price per share offered by Ryanair in its takeover document - for the first time since the bid was made. Dealers attributed the decline to comments made by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern in Brussels, outlining his opposition to the proposed takeover.

The decline in theory allows Ryanair to start buying shares again, though dealers said there was no evidence of the airline increasing its stake yesterday.

Aer Lingus shares fell as low as €2.76, although they managed to recover some ground to close down five cent, or 1.8 per cent, at €2.79. Volume was relatively light though at 2.6 million units. Ryanair meanwhile was a gainer, adding five cent, or 0.5 per cent, to close at €9.50.

Elsewhere, Tullow slipped three cent, or 0.5 per cent, to €6.05 after revealing the gas pressure at one of its wells in the North Sea was lower than expected.

The financials were also busy, with dealers reporting strong interest in all the stocks. AIB slipped 14 cent, to €21.56, despite bullish sentiment coming from an investor day yesterday. Anglo Irish and Bank of Ireland meanwhile made gains, rising 12 and 10 cent respectively, to €14.71 and €15.95.

DCC was also ahead, up 20 cent, at €22.22. Dealers said news that it was selling its Fannin Healthcare premises in Sandyford focused attention on the group's other property assets.

Settlement day: November 13th