Lethargic international stock markets provided a poor background for trading in Dublin, and even the proposed Daimler-Benz/ Chrysler merger failed to trigger much interest in stocks at home and abroad. Price movements were mixed, but there was little of any consequence among the leaders.

The best performer on the day was Anglo Irish Bank which jumped 7p to 204p after half-year results ahead of forecasts. Upgradings of full-year figures are now expected.

Among the other financials, AIB drifted 10p lower to 990p, Bank of Ireland was 7p higher on £14.52, Irish Life lost 10p to 660p while Irish Permanent inched 1 1/4p higher to 961 1/4p.

Smurfit remained well-supported but closed down marginally at 265 3/4p as the market waits for further details on the planned merger of JS Corp and Stone Container.

CRH was 1p firmer on £10.29 while Fyffes remained firmly bid at its new high of 210p.

Elsewhere, Fitzwilton traded for the first time since the proposed O'Reilly-Goulandris bid at 50p was announced, and the shares closed on 47p.

Barlo moved 2p higher to a new high of 100p, Irish Continental gained 15p to £13.10, United Drug gained 15p to 500p while Ryanair was 6 1/4p higher on 550p.

On Nasdaq, Esat hit a new alltime high of $37 1/4 by the time the Dublin market closed, a jump of $21/2

on the day. There was no obvious reason for the jump in Esat yesterday, just as there was no obvious reason when the shares fell $5 in a single session a couple of weeks ago.

Iona was $1/4 higher on $32 while Elan was also $1/4 higher on $63 1/2 as the Irish market closed.