COMPANIES listed on the Irish Stock Exchange raised £897 million in 1996, some £600 million more than in the previous year, according to new official figures.

Confirming one of the strongest performances in over five years, figures issued by the Irish Stock Exchange yesterday show a further £24 million was raised by companies listed on the Exchange's Exploration Security Market, while another £1 million was generated in the Unlisted Securities Market.

The overall funds raised were shared among 55 companies, according to the Stock Exchange. Its end of year review shows that another £816 million was raised by nine companies through corporate bond issues, almost £500 million more than in 1995.

Irish Government bonds also enjoyed near record performances, with £1.141 billion raised on the Dublin gilt market in 1996 compared with £680 million in the previous year.

Against the sharp rise in funds raised on the Dublin gilt and equity markets, the figures show a slight fall in overall trading volumes on the previous year.

Turnover of Irish Government gilts was slightly off 1995 levels, at £115.73 billion compared with £122.19 billion in the previous 12 months, according to the figures. In the equity market, turnover was also down at £7.32 billion compared with £8.26 billion in 1995.

Overall, the value of Irish shares increased by 22.09 per cent over the year, bringing the ISEQ index to 2,725.63 by year end, up from 2,232.45 at the end of 1995.

Over the year, two companies joined the official list. The Northern Ireland engineering group, Powerscreen International, was quoted on the market in March, while exploration company Premier Oil, joined in October.