The market broke through the magic 5,000 mark yesterday but failed to hold on to the gains at the close, finishing back at 4,993. Performances were mixed across the board, with smaller stocks generally the biggest winners in patchy trade.

Greencore was the busiest stock on the day, with seven million shares reported to have changed hands. Dealers said this figure probably reflected some double counting but nonetheless reported "chunky" business in the company, which has been touted as a possible takeover target in 2004. Its shares fell one cent to €3.48.

Mining group, Arcon, was also notably busy, with 3.8 million units traded as it climbed 0.5 cents to 6.3 cents.

Sticking with food, Kerry Group lost ground after its Christmas spike, with the firm's exposure to the ever-declining dollar blamed for the fall. Kerry shares dropped 40 cents to €14.70 on good volume.

Trade was also heavy in Fyffes, which is seen as a beneficiary of a falling dollar. The stock failed to build on Monday's rise however, closing four cents weaker at €1.69.

Elsewhere, Abbey rose 42 cents to €7.30 in advance of tomorrow's results.

Fellow housebuilder, McInerney, firmed on slightly heavier trade, closing at €4.85, up 15 cents.

CRH was strong in advance of today's trading and acquisition update which is expected to show a sharp rebound in the firm's US operations. Shares rose five cents to €16.97.

Grafton, which is also likely to post a trading or acquisition update over coming days, climbed 10 cents to €5.70.

Kingspan was boosted by signs of improvement within the US office construction market where its Tate business operates. Shares rose three cents to €4.38.

The financials were generally weaker, with the exception of AIB, which rose two cents to €12.74. Bank of Ireland fell 13 cents to €10.94, while Anglo Irish lost five cents to close at €12.65.

Dublin Report

Settlement Day: January 9th