The Irish market closed the day nearly 1 per cent stronger at 5,912.75 in line with other European markets, which were quite bullish ahead of the anticipated rate cut in the United States.

With the market still in the midst of summer trading, exaggerated movements on small volumes were again the order of the day.

Financials, which enjoyed a good day in line with their continental counterparts, provided the best examples of current market trading. AIB jumped 29 cents to €12.50 with less than 100,000 shares traded. Irish Life & Permanent picked up 20 cents to close at €13.45, again on volumes of less than 100,000 shares traded.

Bank of Ireland had a more active day's trading. It was 37 cents stronger at €10.88 with just under two million shares changing hands. Anglo Irish Bank advanced 13 cents to €4.10, while there was good demand across the board for First Active, which finished the day eight cents firmer at €3.45.

Among the industrials, CRH continued its good run. Yet again, with less than half a million shares traded, it jumped 46 cents to €20.76. It has now advanced almost €1 in two days' trading.

Smurfit was two cents firmer at €2.36, with more than 1.3 million shares traded. Elsewhere, Eircom was unchanged at €1.34, despite reasonable volumes.

Iona put in a good day, picking up €1.50 to close at €16.50, again on light trading volumes.

DCC found itself under pressure during the day and dropped 21 cents to €9.75 on thin volumes. Also trading down was market heavyweight Elan, which lost 36 cents to €59.45. Kingspan was down five cents at €3, while Green Property slipped back seven cents to €7.08.