The market closed in marginally positive territory last night, helped by a 3.4 per cent rise in Ryanair. Activity in the airline was significantly less intense than in the previous few days, but volume of 3.8 million still outpaced most other stocks.

Market-watchers are expecting the company, which finished at €5.12 yesterday, to be fairly range-bound over the next few months.

CRH had a positive day, with shares up seven cents at €17.22 by the end of the session. Dealers pointed to upbeat guidance from one of the firm's US peers as a driver in the rise.

Housebuilder Abbey was also helped by news from a peer, with a positive trading update from UK firm Bellway, pushing the stock 4 per cent higher to €7.80. McInerney rose by almost 1 per cent to €5.20.

Qualceram had another good day, as investors continued to bet on the firm reinstating its dividend and reporting better trading with its next results. Rumours of a management buyout at the firm remain in the background. Shares rose four cents to €1.80.

IAWS was also an outperformer, with shares rising 15 cents to €9.30 as it emerged that Hiestand, the Swiss baker in which the food group holds a 22 per cent stake, has bought over a frozen food distributor in a deal that will make Hiestand the largest frozen baked foods distributor in Germany. Kerry was in solid form after attracting a "buy" recommendation from NCB ahead of results due later this month. Shares rose 20 cents to €14.40.

The banks were mixed, with Anglo Irish Bank the main loser. Shares in the bank fell 1.5 per cent to €13.15 amid market speculation that a placing would be made today. Bank of Ireland rose two cents to €11.42, while AIB added three cents to finish at €13.28. Irish Life & Permanent closed at €13.45, up five cents.

Unidare, seen by many as a candidate for corporate activity, added 7 per cent to close at €1.52 on minimal volume. Dublin ReportSettlement Day: February 9th