Market report: Shares prices in Dublin edged higher with Ryanair proving the star performer on the day.

More than 15 million Ryanair shares were traded in Dublin, sending the shares to €5.65 up 16 cents or 3 per cent.

Expectations that it will post a strong set of results in February have buoyed the shares recently, with a further dip in fuel prices seen as providing the impetus for the latest surge.

Earlier this week, it announced that its traffic and capacity in December grew by 9.5 per cent with load factors strengthening to 84 per cent.

There was also continued large volumes of trading in Waterford Wedgwood.

Yesterday, another 38 million shares changed hands with the stock closing at 6 cents.

In terms of corporate news, Abbey disappointed the market, bringing in interim figures some 10 per cent below expectations. The shares slumped and ended at €7.72, down more than 5 per cent.

Otherwise, bank stocks put in a mixed performance.

Anglo remained in favour and the shares rose 33 cents to end at €18.50.

Investors were looking to the bank to achieve further good growth.

Irish Life & Permanent enjoyed a good run with the shares gaining another 12 cents to €14.17.

Activity i"n the two big banks was fairly muted.

AIB shares added 5 cents to €15.25.

Bank of Ireland closed 7 cents better at €12.28.

Meanwhile, CRH bounced back after an upbeat trading statement on Wednesday.

The shares edged 23 cents higher to €19.83 .

Among other stocks traded, DCC shares closed at €16.63, up 3 cents, while Fyffes shares shed 3 cents to €1.88.

IAWS shares rose 2 cents to €12.30.

Jurys Doyle Hotels added 5 cents to €12.50.

Kerry gained 30 cents to €17.95, while shares in Paddy Power ended the day some 10 cents better at €10.70.

Settlement Day: January 9th