Market Report: The Christmas spirit took hold in Dublin yesterday, with volumes struggling to cross the one-million mark.

The main exception to the rule came in Fyffes, which is currently engaged in a High Court action against DCC. Some 3.3 million shares traded in the fruit firm, as it fell by 7 cent to €1.88.

DCC was quieter as its shares climbed by 10 cent to €16.05.

Another loser on the day was Waterford Wedgwood, which last week launched a rights issue to help it pay for the takeover of Royal Doulton.

Shares in the luxury goods firm fell by 1 cent to 7 cent on volume of 10 million shares.

The banks were in rather anaemic form, with volumes particularly low in AIB. Shares in the bank closed unchanged at €14.95.

Bank of Ireland was up 3 cent at €12, while Anglo Irish fell by two cent to €17.85.

Irish Life and Permanent shed 5 cent to finish at €13.60.

Jurys Doyle built on its recent winning streak with a jump of 18 cent to €12.38 as positive sentiment continues to build in the hotel sector.

Kingspan fell by 5 cent to €7.05 after announcing that it had raised €350 million in a syndicated credit facility. Analysts pointed to the firm's resultant acquisition firepower.

Tullow weakened ever so slightly in London, after posting strong Monday gains on the back of deal news. Shares in the firm shed 0.5p sterling to close at 149.5p.

On the same market, Petrel managed to break its losing streak with a 6p, or 18 per cent, jump to 39.5p.

Back in Dublin, low volumes gave rise to some large price movements.

United Drug jumped by 12 cent to €3.48. Greencore was less fortunate, as its shares fell by 10 cent to €2.95. Readymix rose by 7 cent to €1.78 on volume of just 82,000 shares.

The market will be open for more of the same today and tomorrow before closing for Christmas until December 29th.