THE indifferent performance on European markets and some, profit taking dragged the Irish market down in relatively thin trading, but overall the market closed in good shape with good bid interest at the closing levels.

After its 19p rise on Tuesday, profit taking hit Bank of Ireland and the shares closed off 5p on 470p. There was more substantial trade in AIB but the share still lost ground, closing down 3p on 362p. Elsewhere among the financials, Woodchester was unchanged on 183p ahead of today's interim figures, while Irish Permanent edged, a penny higher to a new high of 418p.

Leading industrials were virtually non existent on the market with not a single trade in CRH and just one Smurfit which was unchanged on 164p.

The half year results from Independent caused few surprises and the share closed 2p firmer on 294p. Independent refused to comment on reports linking it with a £50 million regional newspaper acquisition in the south of England.

Some of the steam went out of Tullow and the share lost 5 1/2p in London to close on 104p sterling as almost five million shares traded. In Dublin, Tullow shares closed down on 106p sterling from the overnight 109p.

Glencar became the latest explorer after Ivernia and Arcon to hit the market with a cash call and raised £12 million in a placing and open offer to fund its increased interest in the Wassa gold prospect in Ghana. Kenmare also saw a minor flurry of trading and the share closed up a penny on 33p.