A strong performance by Elan and renewed interest in Eircom after eIsland's approach pushed the ISEQ up 39 points today but financial and second-line stocks showed signs of weakness.
Eircom gained 6 cents to euro 2.63 as analysts debated the merits of eIsland's Eircom bid - thought to be worth euro 1.10 per share. Elan gianed 75 cents to euro 59.25 in a strong opening on the Nasdaq where most of its shares are traded.
Fellow Nasdaq component Riverdeep also fared well after reporting better-than-expected fourth-quarter results. Riverdeep gained 55 cents to euro 4.70.
Irish stocks had mixed day with financials weaker and Greencore falling back after warning at its AGM of increasing pressure on margins in the future.
Greencore fell 2 cents to euro 2.85, CRH slipped 22 cents to euro 19.96 and DCC fell 7 cents to euro 11.25.
AIB lost 10 cents to euro 12.54, Bank of Ireland fell 2 cents to euro 10.30 and First Active eased 7 cents to euro 2.40.
Shares in London ticked lower today as the Bank of England's interest rate decision was largely ignored and Wall Street failed to provide any clear direction, dealers said.
The FTSE 100 index closed 19.5 points lower at 6,206.1 - off a low at 6,207.0 this morning but well below a high at 6,265.9.