Settlement Day: December 4th; ISEQ Overall Index: 2656.19 (+9.17)

THE Irish market was pretty listless yesterday. The only feature was the off loading of two million CRH shares by an institution in London, according to dealers.

This sale, one dealer said, followed poor news from Redland. CRH has been a favourite among British institutions for some time because of its good geographical spread and fairly consistent good results, particularly over the last few years in Dublin remained unchanged at 610p, but a market guide price of 600p/610p may indicate some immediate weakness.

The banks were featureless AIB in a number of deals ended up unchanged at 392p. Bank of Ireland put on 2p to 515p.

Anglo Irish Bank, which this week produced better than expected profit growth, saw a number of deals. However, it ended up unchanged at 73p.

The market took a rather jaundiced view to United Drug's plans to raise £12.4 million in a rights issue. One dealer noted the group had a net negative cash flow.

That could add a dampener on the shares, though United Drug said it was planning to spend up to £20 million on acquisitions.

Ardagh first moved down 5p to 125p but then went further down to 123p.

In contrast, Green put on 10p to 240p. But then Green is in an active mood and should gain benefits from the its biggest project, to date, the Blanchardstown Town Centre.

Jurys was 3p better at 263p but Kingspan shed 5p at 520p. Lyons added 6 1/2p at 323 1/2p. Mackie in the first deal since October 7th and responding to a profit warning, slumped by 65p to 150p. The fall was expected, but it was a long time coming.

Dana Petroleum was unchanged at 14p but the company has announced that its chairman, Mr Charles Smith has exercised options over a million shares at 7p a share. While he does not intend to dispose of them, he is showing a paper profit of £70,000.

Jones was also unchanged at 142p but Friends Provident has announced a reduction in its shareholding from 6.86 per cent to 5.9 per cent.