Dublin report: Bullish sentiment pushed the Dublin market ahead yesterday afternoon in line with its peers. The Iseq recovered from a morning slide to advance by more than 75 points in afternoon trade to end the day at 7,956.58, up 32.95 points.

Despite the sentiment, volumes remained light for the time of year with few stocks outside the main banks showing significant trade.

The corporate headline of the day was the return to profit by sanitaryware manufacturer Qualceram Shires, which reported a €2 million interim profit - a turnaround from the €3.4 million loss in the equivalent period last year.

Qualceram, which this week also announced plans to turn its Arklow factory site into a property development, advanced 10 cent or over 7 per cent to €1.50 on the news. The stock is now 31 cent, or 26 per cent, stronger than at the end of last week.

Building materials and DIY group Grafton was another stock in demand, surging towards the end of the session on expectations of strong interim figures this morning. The shares ended the day at €10.85, up 11 cent.

Among the banks, Bank of Ireland and AIB both moved ahead in reasonable volume. Bank of Ireland added 16 cent to €14.61 while AIB closed 18 cent stronger on €19.80. Anglo Irish slipped back slightly to close on €12.45, down three cent on the session while Irish Life & Permanent lost seven cent to €18.70.

C&C continued its advance on the back of yet more positive Nielsen data on the progress of the group's Magners brand in the UK. The drinks and snack group was the most active stock on the Iseq, with almost 2.4 million shares changing hands, as it gained five cent to €10.45.

Independent News & Media was another stock in demand, according to traders, attracting buyers at €2.34 and €2.35. The shares came back slightly from those levels to end the day unchanged on €2.33.

Settlement Date: September 15th