Market Report: The market dipped slightly yesterday, despite picking up some momentum in afternoon trade.

The financials weakened with the general trend, with volume in AIB particularly weak. The bank fell by 20 cent to €17.20.

Bank of Ireland was busier, but it also dropped back, losing 19 cent to finish at €12.61. Dealers said the bank, which will release a trading update on Tuesday, had received good support as soon as it moved below €12.60. The bank has completed the sale of its Bristol & West network in Britain.

Anglo Irish, which yesterday received praise from Davy, bucked the trend by gaining one cent to close at €10.89.

Irish Life & Permanent was also solid, gaining five cent to close at €15.

IFG, which reports interim numbers on Wednesday, fell two cent to €1.31.

Ryanair was in the news as Michael O'Leary presided over a satisfied group of shareholders at the group's annual general meeting in Dublin. Mr O'Leary said he was comfortable with forecasts for this year and reiterated his promise of holding back from fuel surcharges. The stock suffered some profit-taking, declining by 10 cent to €6.60. Grafton fell back too, closing 20 cent lighter at €8.37.

IAWS weakened in advance of Monday's full-year results, despite expectations that the firm will surpass analysts' forecasts. Shares finished at €11.40, down 15 cent. Greencore also declined, losing two cent to close at €3.51.

Paddy Power displayed significant strength on the day, gaining five cent to close at €14.85. Jurys was also in solid form, rising by 15 cent to €18.75 after Sean Dunne swooped for a block of shares at €19.50. The move adds heat to an already stressed takeover period at the hotel group. Eircom was a loser, falling by one cent to €1.86 on continued good volume.

Qualceram also dropped in value, shedding five cent to end the session at €1.14.

Settlement Date: September 27th