Despite the Yamaichi collapse and some heavy falls on European markets, the Irish market lost less than 1 per cent of its value, with trading volumes much lower than the average of the past few weeks.
The direction of the market will, as usual, depend on how the major international bourses react to the overnight trading in Tokyo when the Japanese market reopens after a three-day weekend.
Bank of Ireland began trading minus its 7p interim dividend and closed down 4p on 887p, while AIB was 10p lower on 580p in thin trading. Leading industrials lost a little ground, with CRH 4p lower on 771p, although Jefferson Smurfit was unchanged on 190p.
Unidare was by far the best performer, with the shares jumping 18p to 223p in some sizeable trading after full-year results which were well ahead of forecasts. Profits and earnings upgrades of at least 10 per cent are expected and the shares were well-bid at yesterday's close.
Greencore was unchanged on 313p ahead of results, while Anglo Irish Bank was 2p easier on 116p ahead of today's full-year figures. Marlborough went against the general trend and gained 3p to a new high of 120p, while Jurys lost 15p to 400p.
Gilt prices rose in line with the trend on international markets but price changes were insignificant. If there is a move out of Japan into the so-called safe havens of US, UK and British bonds, Ireland is unlikely to benefit and the yield gap against major bond markets may widen slightly.
