DUBLIN REPORT: Ïseq:3,017.04 (-31.49) Settlement date:August 31st

THE ISEQ closed 1 per cent weaker yesterday, pulled down by weakness in market heavyweights CRH and Ryanair.

CRHhad a particularly poor day, having managed to climb in the wake of Tuesday's results. Shares closed 98 cent weaker at €17.86, having suffered downgrades from both UBS and Goodbody.

Ryanairfell 4.21 per cent, or 13.5 cent, to €3.072, while fellow airline Aer Linguswas 1.7 cent lower at 50.3 cent in advance of today's results.

Elsewhere, the banks did their best to drive the market up, helped by Government adviser Dr Alan Ahearne disputing claims that loans being taken into Nama would be worth close to €30 billion.

AIBclosed 16.2 cent higher at €2.357, while Bank of Irelandrose by 18.7 cent to €2.369.

Reasonably predictable results from Irish Life & Permanentalso helped to calm the financials, with shares in the group itself adding 8.3 cent to finish at €4.06.

FBDwas in less healthy shape by the end of the session, having issued results that came in behind market expectations. Shares fell by 30 cent to €7.40.

Also on the results trail yesterday was Glanbia, which shed 10 cent to close at €2.60 after reporting a drop in profits. Dealers pointed out that the stock had risen strongly in the run-up to the numbers.

Paddy Powerwas the star of the results show, meanwhile, gaining €1.28 to reach €20.33 after exceeding analysts' expectations with its interim numbers.

Tullowalso released results yesterday, reporting an 83 per cent drop in profits. The stock unsurprisingly gave up ground, falling by 44 cents to €11.96.

While not reporting itself, C&Cdid well on the back of positive results from Heineken, gaining 7 cent to close at €2.23.