The trend was unquestionably negative on the Irish market yesterday, with few stocks managing to register gains at the close.

The most obvious exception was Anglo Irish Bank, which has now added almost 6 per cent since the start of December. The bank closed at €12.05, up two cents on the day.

AIB continued its post-trading statement decline, closing five cents weaker at 12.05 after dipping down to €11.95 in earlier trade. Bank of Ireland also slipped back, losing seven cents to close at 10.48. The bank said it had bought back 260,000 shares on Thursday at €10.56 per share.

The main focus of interest in volume terms was Greencore, with almost 4 per cent of the company crossing in one early trade at 3.00. Shares finished at the same level, down three cents on the day on volume of 7.5 million units.

Fyffes was also busy, rising three cents to 1.60 as 4.7 million shares changed hands. The dollar's persistent weakness is beneficial for the company because it leads to lower input costs.

It is less helpful however for firms such as Waterford Wedgwood, which look to the US for the bulk of their sales. Shares in Waterford slipped one cent to 21 cents yesterday, despite signs that business in upmarket US stores had picked up last month.

DCC was the best performer on the day, marking a 20-cent rise to 11.10 on apparently unfounded rumours that it could be planning a disposal.

Paddy Power was also solid as it climbed six cents to €7.07. Less impressive was Elan, which slipped 22 cents to 4.45 as it emerged that a $30 million (€24.6 million) loan repayment due from fellow drugs firm, Amarin, had been delayed.