The Iseq index of shares remained in positive territory this afternoon, continuing this mornings gains.
Just after 4pm today the index was 92 points up at 4,493, with commodities providing some support to markets throughout Europe.
Banking stocks remained strong throughout the day, making up some ground after a dismal performance yesterday. Anglo Irish led the way, adding 6.3 per cent to bring its share price to €6.22, while Bank of Ireland's shares rose to €6, a 4.8 per cent gain.
AIB, which started off the morning strong, adding 3.1 per cent, or 26 cent to its share price at 8.30am, fell back slightly to €8.70, while Irish Life & Permanent added 2.7 per cent this afternoon.
CRH continued to hold its gains from this morning's trade, at EUR €18.18, a 1.3 per cent rise. Grafton was also on the rise, gaining 1.1 per cent to €4.25. However, other building stocks did not fare as well. After a brief rally earlier this afternoon, Kingspan lost 1.8 per cent to leave its stock at €7.
But one of the biggest losers of the session was Smurfit Kappa, which shed 14.3 per cent to €3.90 this afternoon.
After a good start to the session, Providence Resources slid from 4.1 per cent up this morning to 6.25 per cent down.
On a more positive note, Elan continued to gain, rising 6.4 per cent today to €7.54, following a 5.5 per cent rise this morning. Earlier this week it was announced that the firm had received first-round bids for its drug technology unit, EDT.