Iseq up 67.42 points at 3245.19 Trading volumes were high on the Iseq index of Irish shares going into the Easter weekend, with today's gains achieved thanks to a positive reaction from traders to Ryanair's move to raise its guidance on its likely full-year profits.
The airline's statement that full-year profit for the fiscal year ending March 31st will be not less than an after-tax €310 million saw its share price immediately buoyed the stock, which eventually finished the day up 29 cent at €3.97, up 8 per cent.
There was above-average volumes of trading in Ryanair, cited stronger than expected passenger bookings at better than expected yields during late February and March as a reason for their upgraded guidance. Aer Lingus was also lifted, finishing up 5.5 per cent at 77 cent.
After a volatile week, the financial stocks were under close surveillance. However, having lost almost 4 per cent in the previous session, AIB managed to hold its ground at €1.20. Although it gave up some of yesterday's 24 per cent gain in the early part of the day, Bank of Ireland's share price recovered in the afternoon and it, too, closed flat, holding at €1.60.
Building materials group CRH, the largest component stock on the index, also made gains, finishing up 2.3 per cent at €18.91.
Smurfit Kappa rose 3.6 per cent to €6.39, breaking a recent poor run, which dealers attributed to an inability to pass on price increases in the paper and packaging sector to its clients.
Pharmaceutical group United Drug attracted some interest from buyers, with half a million shares exchanging hands at the ¤2.60 level, and the stock closed flat at €2.57.
The stock market is now closed for the Easter break until Tuesday.
