Market Report: The Dublin market finished down yesterday at the end of a listless day's trading. Even well-received numbers from AIB failed to lift the pace of business and, after a good start, even the bank succumbed to the general ennui.

AIB jumped 13 cents to €12.58 as the interim results were announced. But it was all downhill from there and the stock closed five cents weaker on the day at €12.40.

It also suffered in London, closing the day 14 cents or 1.13 per cent weaker on €12.26. More than three million shares traded between the two markets.

Sentiment towards the banks in general was poor, in contrast to financials in other markets. Bank of Ireland closed on €10.61, off 15 cents in the session. Anglo Irish was also weaker, slipping 10 cents to €13, while Irish Life & Permanent was down 12 cents at €12.33.

Outside of the banks, the major damage to the ISEQ came from Elan's return to volatility. The stock shed more than 10 per cent of its value on the Dublin market yesterday, closing on €15.90, from €17.75 on Monday. It continued to lose ground in after hours trade.

Dealers said the markets were at a loss to explain the stock's recent behaviour, but that the pharmaceutical company was considerably oversold in the past week.

A profit warning from Icon came too late to affect trade in Dublin. However, in the US where most of its activity takes place, it plummeted almost 20 per cent just after Irish markets closed.

Elsewhere, volumes languished at holiday levels. CRH was two cents weaker on €18.08 but only a half million shares changed hands. Eircom rose three cents to €1.45 on similar levels while C&C was unchanged on €2.55.

There was interest again in Fyffes, which closed unchanged on €1.68.

Greencore, too, had a relatively positive day, albeit in light trade, adding three cents to €2.93.

Settlement Day: July 30th