Market report: Worries of a further collapse in the Eircom share price, as US investors returned to the fray after last week's Thanksgiving holiday, failed to materialise yesterday.

While volume in the stock was heavy, with some 25 million shares traded between Dublin and London, the stock lost just three cent, or 1.6 per cent, to €1.91, relatively modest when compared to Friday's 16 per cent fall. Dealers said the strong dividend yield on the stock, currently around 5 per cent, was lending some support as investors digested the Swisscom disappointment.

Overall, the Irish stock market finished the day little changed as dealers said some nervousness replaced the recent enthusiasm which has driven several share prices to all-time highs.

AIB continued its march into record territory, adding a further 12 cent to €18.20. Anglo Irish Bank, whose management team is on the road meeting investors following the release of full-year results last week, also added 22 cent, or 1.9 per cent, to €11.77. But Bank of Ireland lagged behind, shedding three cent to €13.15.

More than five million Fyffes shares were traded as the stock steadied, closing three cent or 1.4 per cent higher at €2.13. Dealers said that despite the uncertainty over EU banana regime change, the company's strong balance sheet and property portfolio provided investors with some comfort.

Elsewhere, the picture was mixed. CRH lost three cent to €22.57 in a generally weaker construction sector while Ryanair also drifted lower, finishing 12 cent down at €7.33.

"There's a feeling that the share price is up with events," one dealer noted.

Other movers yesterday included Independent News & Media, which lost two cent to €2.33. But Kerry Group added 20 cent, or 1.1 per cent, to €18.45 while some 2.4 million United Drug shares traded as the stock added eight cent to €3.45 in the wake of last week's full-year results from the company.

Settlement Day: December 1st