Mobile phone software group Parthus was the latest Irish technology stock to come under the cosh yesterday, and the stock fell heavily on the London market in heavy trading. More than 2.3 million Parthus shares changed hands as the share fell 12-1/2p to 126p sterling - a long way off last year's 408p sterling high and not that far above the 85p sterling flotation price.

Parthus bucked the trend among Irish technology stocks with most of them trading higher to varying degrees. Iona led the charge and was trading almost 10 per cent higher by midday on the Nasdaq. Riverdeep and SmartForce made more modest gains although Baltimore recovered some ground from the recent heavy selling of the stock and closed up 14-1/2p on 261p sterling.

On the home market there were few highlights with most stocks trading in small volumes. AIB did manage to regain its top financials ranking as it confined its losses to 11 cents to a close of €11.75 while Bank of Ireland was down 39 cents on €10.14.

Fears that the food and mouth outbreak could hit their British operations impacted on Irish food stocks with Glanbia down four cents on €0.51, Golden Vale down two cents on €0.93 while Kerry - ahead of today's results - dropped 30 cents to €13.72.

Good first-half results and management reshuffle helped Horizon to gain 25 cents to €7.20, Eircom lost three cents to €2.40 while CRH lost some of its recent gains and closed 27 cents lower on €20.40.