MARKET REPORT - DUBLIN

THE Irish market stayed in tight range yesterday as the British market eased back slightly in fairly directionless trade.

DCC was unchanged after chief executive, Mr Jim Flavin, warned the company's computer printing subsidiary, Printech, "continues to face a difficult market environment".

Golden Vale had a quiet day as investors waited on the outcome of the meeting to agree former chief executive, Mr Jim O'Mahony's compensation package.

Heiton fell back 1 1/2p to 102 1/2p on news that its Atlantic Homecare superstore in Clonshaugh was destroyed by fire for the second time in three years.

Adare was among the heaviest traded shares yesterday with decent foreign buying, traders said. It closed flat at 470p. News that managing director, Mr Nelsoa Loane, made £350,000 on share options, doubled his shareholding, also boosted the share they said.

CRH continued to be hit by profit taking, falling back a penny to 641p.

Waterford Foods put on 3p to 95p Traders said it was finally catching up with other food stocks which have had a good run.

The bond markets were up a little on the back of a better international mood and a rally in British gilts. However, traders said they were surprised at the low volume of foreign funds coming in.

The 6.5 per cent five year bond closed flat at 97.35p to yield 7 per cent. The 10 year closed slightly up at 101.50p to yield 7.63 per cent up from 7.69 per cent.