Shares in Dublin were broadly unchanged in a relatively quiet session although international buyers were active in certain stocks during the day. Financial stocks generally fared better than their UK and European counterparts and US banks opened on a firmer note.

AIB, which has been hit by concerns about the impact on its business of a slowdown in the US economy, managed to stay above #13 even though it shed three cents during trading to end the day at #13.10.

Stockbrokers ABN Amro has removed the stock from its key buy list ahead of fourth-quarter results which are expected to show a further deterioration in asset quality in the US. The shares will continue to be affected in the interim.

Bank of Ireland reversed some of its losses and managed to climb back above #10. The stock added seven cents on the day to close at #10.03. Anglo Irish Bank was eight cents weaker at #3.13, First Active shed two cents to #2.23 and Irish Life & Permanent was down four cents at #12.55.

Eircom gained two cents to #2.51. Industrial stocks were in good demand. CRH was 12 cents better, rising to #20.06, while Smurfit was six cents lower at #2.20 with dealers reporting good two-way interest in the stock.

Elan was lower again in Dublin, closing down 10 cents at #47.40. Other stocks featuring during trading included Grafton, up 60 cents at #25.10 and Iona Technologies, which managed to gain #3 to #51.

Ryanair was down 13 cents at #11.12 and Waterford Wedgwood shed a cent to #1.31.