TRADERS were getting into the mood for the shut down at Christmas but yesterday kept slightly alert for the half day trading today. Still, dealings today are expected to very thin.

Unlike traders in some European bourses, who openly admitted to playing Solitaire because there was nothing else to do, Dublin traders are likely to take a somewhat more serious view of things.

Yesterday saw some movements, particularly in the banks. One dealer said the banks might provide the lead after the festivities end next week.

AIB put on 2p to 387p. But the shares had reached 389p earlier.

Bank of Ireland also put on a strong enough performance. The shares first started 5.5p lower but then reversed direction. By the end of the day they were 528p, 4.5p higher than the previous close.

Kerry was 5p stronger at 600p.

The musical chairs in the board was appropriately announced in Christmas week.

It went like this. Five directors, Mr A. O'Donnell, Mr R O'Connell, Mr P. Healy, Mr D. Barry and Mr R. Fitzgerald, directors of Kerry Group "vacated their board positions in Kerry Cooperative Creameries". So far so good.

But under the articles of association they then ceased to be directors of Kerry Group. A problem? Not at all. The remaining directors of Kerry Group came to their rescue. With a nod all round, they co-opted them back to the board and were "reinstated as directors".