Iseq: 2,463.88 (–3.63) Settlement date: September 20thTHE ISEQ performed reasonably well for most of yesterday's session, only to lose momentum towards the end and finish 0.15 per cent lower.

Dealers reported little in the way of Irish-specific news, with one likening the market to a “cork bobbing about” in turbulent international markets.

The main drivers abroad were positive, with stocks in Europe in particular benefiting from a professed Franco-German determination to keep Greece in the euro zone and a joint action by the Federal Reserve and the ECB to provide dollars to euro-area banks.

At home, volumes were generally low, leading to some substantial price movements.

DCC was among the main losers, as investors appeared to focus on a contract loss at its subsidiary, Allied Foods. Despite the expected low impact on group profits, shares fell by 78 cents to €17.54.

Aer Lingus also moved on the back of news, this time in relation to the probable sale of the Government’s stake in the airline. Shares climbed by 1.4 cents to 68 cents.

The banks had a mixed day, with Bank of Ireland shedding 0.2 cents to close at 76 cents. AIB was quieter on the junior market as it rose by 0.4 cents to 4.4 cents, while Irish Life Permanent climbed by 0.3 cents to 2.7 cents.

Grafton was a star performer, albeit on fairly anaemic levels of business. Shares in the merchanting and DIY firm climbed by 15 cents to €2.88.

Elsewhere, Independent News Media was weaker, falling by 1.7 cent to 27 cents, while Fyffes closed 1 cent lower at 37 cents.

Market heavyweight CRH helped to hold things up at the close, adding 38.5 cents to end the session at €11.54.

In the bond markets, yields on Irish debt fell over all maturities apart from one year.