The Irish Stock Exchange says the number of deals in the first half of this year was more than 24% higher than in the same period last year.
Its first-half review shows that the average number of transactions per day in the period was 2,600, compared with 2,100 in the first half of 2003. Chief executive Tom Healy told RTE radio this indicated that small private investors had returned to the market.
The value of shares traded fell by 2% to €27.5 billion, while average daily turnover was €300m. The ISE report says the ISEQ index rose by 11% in the first half, and outperformed indices such as the FTSE and Nasdaq.
There were two new listings in the period - Eircom and C&C - which raised just over €2 billion for the companies. Mr Healy said he had predicted three to five new companies for this year, but said five might now be too bullish. Mr Healy said he understood there was a strong pipeline of companies considering going public.
The review says the ISE is playing a pivotal role in developing Ireland as a location for special purpose securitisation vehicles, with the number of listings up 21% to 982. The vehicles are set up to enable companies to raise money on assets such as property.
