Market report: The most significant business on the Dublin market yesterday was done in a company that is not even a member of the Irish Stock Exchange.

NTR, the toll roads to waste services group which trades on an unofficial basis, saw around a million shares change hands at around €19, ahead of its recent €18.25 to €18.50 range and significantly stronger than the €13 level at which the group was trading just six months ago.

Dealers said trading in the official market was generally light, particularly in the financials. What trade there was was dominated by Fyffes and Waterford Wedgwood which between them accounted for more than half the total volume.

Dealers said Fyffes attracted considerable interest as people assessed newsflow from its intractable High Court battle with fellow quoted firm DCC.

Almost 4.5 million shares changed hands in the company yesterday, though the price moved in a tight range between €1.87 and €1.90 before closing unchanged on €1.89.

DCC also saw heavier than usual interest as it climbed seven cents to €16.32. Dealers said trading was largely dictated by investors adjusting their portfolios ahead of the new year.

Such momentum trading and the prospect of upgrades in 2005 saw Anglo Irish Bank rise another three cents to €17.95.

Elsewhere among the financials, Bank of Ireland was most in demand and finished a cent ahead on the session at €12.05. AIB went the other way, giving up two cents to €15.06.

Irish Life & Permanent continued its recent uncertainty, slipping five cents to €13.60.

Waterford Wedgwood gave up another fraction to 6.4 cents, while Independent News & Media fared better, closing a cent stronger on €2.31 as the market welcomed the move into the Indian market and the upbeat trading statement this week.

CRH and Kerry lost some ground as the dollar hit a new low. CRH was off eight cents on €19.75 while Kerry was 15 cents weaker on €17.75.

Settlement Day: December 31st