The market logged a quiet end to a busy week yesterday, closing marginally lower as poor US economic data weighed on investor confidence later in the day.

Performances were mixed across the headline stocks, with Ryanair once again standing out as the most volatile player. The company eventually ended 28 cents lower at 6.15 amid persistent (if dubious) rumours of a placing.

"It traded all over the place," said one dealer, who also raised concerns about the company's exposure to a SARS-related slowdown in air traffic.

Elsewhere, volume was particularly low in AIB, which gained 13 cents to close at 13.60 as the bank confirmed its buyback had continued on the previous day. Bank of Ireland was busier as it dropped eight cents to finish at €10.82.

In other financials, Anglo Irish Bank remained under pressure before recovering somewhat in late trade to close one cent lower at 6.65. Irish Life & Permanent fell by 15 cents to end the day at 10.15 as about 1.1 million shares were traded.

CRH was quieter, closing 20 cents lower at €13.45 as just 340,000 shares changed hands in Dublin.

Much better volume was recorded in Independent News & Media, which ended down two cents at 1.25 after almost seven million shares were traded. Dealers reported that five million shares crossed in a single deal.

IAWS also saw some chunky business as about four million shares were dealt. The stock shed 25 cents to finish at €7.20 after seeing most volume at 7.10.

Irish Continental Group was also unusually busy as it closed 20 cents higher at 8.40.