Market Report:The Iseq ended the day little changed yesterday despite some very heavy trading in several of the index's leading members.

Bank of Ireland was active, with more than 6.8 million shares changing hands. The stock fell, however, closing down 3.1 per cent, or 51 cent, at €16.01 despite the bank reporting a 28 per cent increase in annual pretax profit.

Dealers said that, while the results were largely in line with forecasts, there had been hope that the figures would exceed expectations and the lack of positive surprises prompted selling.

Investors in Greencore reacted positively to the news that first-half profit was 38 per cent ahead of the year-earlier period, sending the shares 2.7 per cent, or 13 cent, higher to €4.87. With 1.4 million units trading, Greencore was busier than usual.

Independent News & Media was again in focus as it released yet another statement, saying it had bought a further 1.5 million of its own shares for €3.80 each.

The news came after the market closed. During the day the shares rose as high as €3.85 before falling back to close unchanged at €3.78. More than 4.8 million units changed hands.

Ryanair was also busy, with six million shares in action, as the stock added 2.1 per cent, or 11 cent, to end the day at €5.32.

The airline yesterday said it had bought 27 Boeing 737-800 aircraft worth €1.4 billion and announced plans to introduce eight new routes from Shannon to Europe in November.

Trading in fruit distribution group Total Produce was exceptionally busy with 20 million shares changing hands. The stock closed 1.3 per cent, or one cent, lower at 76 cent.