THE Dublin market finished much as it began yesterday quietly. Dealers said prices were soft and the market was still in holiday mode. The index was almost flat, finishing just over one point lower than Friday's close.

Hibernian Group's results "were a bit disappointing and were offered rather than bid" said one dealer.

The company warned yesterday that its motor premiums will have to increase because rising accident claims contributed to a 17 per cent fall in operating profits to £11.2 million in the first six months of the year.

In the financials there was a bit of trade in AIB but it ended the day down 1p at 357p. Bank of Ireland was up 2p at 458p.

One deafer said she banks seemed to be offering very good value at the moment, when comparison was made with their counterparts in the US and Britain.

"On the figures to date, the two banks look relatively cheap," remarked the dealer.

Both Irish Life and Irish Permanent closed unchanged at 240p and 402p respectively.

Yesterday afternoon it emerged that the Personal Finance Assistants (PFAs) in Irish Life have agreed to a formula which will allow talks to take place on new work practices. It followed a vote of the PFAs in Portlaoise and should break the deadlock in the dispute.

Greencore opened at 307p, down 3p on its previous closing price, but recovered to finish the day unchanged. Kerry fell 3p, to finish at 592p. The group will be announcing its interim results today.

Paper and packaging firm Smurfit dropped 3p to 163p.

Traders said buyers of CRH stock seemed to have fallen off, after expressing interest last week.

Fyffes was up 1p at 107p.

The bond market was also very quiet yesterday, and was marginally weaker. There was little movement and dealers said the market was waiting for today's Federal Open Market Committee meeting in the US.