Shares in Elan, the pharmaceutical group, reached another all-time high on the Dublin market yesterday, rising 52 cents to close at €59.50, up 0.88 per cent on the day.

The stock, whose value on the Dublin market has doubled this year, was valued at $54 1/4 in afternoon trading on the New York exchange, 0.46 per cent higher than its previous close.

AIB shares rose 3.49 per cent to close at €9.50, a day after the group's half-year results.