As institutional investors step back from the fray in increasingly volatile global stock markets, market watchers will be looking for signs of currency speculators' next targets. Attention is still likely to focus on the Far East with events in Hong Kong and Japan under particular scrutiny, but the possibility of action in Latin America will keep traders on their toes.

Whatever happens, it seems certain that the Irish market, like its smaller brethern, will be subject to wilder swings than in recent times as the longstanding bull market seems destined to yield to a period of uncertainty.

Powerscreen: Powerscreen is set to overcome the ongoing adverse exchange rate movements to record double-digit growth in the six months to the end of September last when it reports tomorrow. Brokers are pencilling in pre-tax profits of £23.5 million sterling, up 15 per cent on the same period a year ago, with earnings per share of 19.8 pence. Factors behind the strong growth are buoyant sales in both the US and Britain and full contributions from both USTC and Doggett for the first time.