SHARES in Waterford Wedgwood fell 33% yesterday after the crystal and ceramics manufacturer twice surprised the markets - with a profit warning and with plans to buy a troubled British rival.

LUXURY goods group Waterford Wedgwood is set to land a €15 million windfall after last week’s decision by the European Commission to give the go-ahead to Irish tax changes introduced in last December’s Budget.

The ISEQ climbed 14.59 to end the day on 5,351.51, with financial stocks helping the positive close.

Waterford Wedgwood today approved the sale of its US subsidiary All-Clad.

Luxury good group Waterford Wedgwood will hold an extraordinary general meeting to approve the sale of its American All-Clad home cookware subsidiary on July 26.

‘The Glass’ needs a dollar recovery to see fortunes improve, says CONOR KEANE.

Luxury goods group Waterford Wedgwood today set out its plans for recovery after the weak US dollar and tough trading left it spiralling into the red.

The ISEQ index of Irish shares closed up 18.77 points at 5241.15 on a busy day for a number of major players.

Luxury goods group Waterford Wedgwood today issued a profits warning after feeling the pressure from tough trading conditions in Germany.

Waterford Wedgwood announced today it is to sell its US-based cookware subsidiary All-Clad for $250m (€203m).

The ISEQ closed down 27 points to 5,256 on sluggish volume with a late afternoon resurgence failing to push the market into positive territory.

The ISEQ was down 17 points to 5266 just after 11.30am this morning on sluggish volume, with the exception of Waterford Wedgwood and Independent News and Media.

In its latest trading statement, Waterford Wedgwood says it may sell subsidiary All-Clad after receiving "significant and unsolicited" interest from third parties.