THE holiday in Britain and the absence of any real stimulus from Wall Street left the market becalmed yesterday, with share prices generally easing lower in very thin trading.

The fact that there was not a single trade in the two biggest industrial companies, CRH and Smurfit, was an indication of the level of activity.

The main financial shares closed marginally weaker with both AIB and Bank of Ireland down 2p on 350p and 450p respectively.

Irish Permanent was unchanged on 402p ahead of what are expected to be an impressive set of half year results today. Irish Life was unchanged on 240p.

Avonmore also reports half year results today and Goodbody has told its clients that it expects positive earnings growth from Avonmore, reflecting a successful diversification strategy in what has been a difficult year for the sector.

Elsewhere in the food sector, Golden Vale continued its poor run, closing down another 1p on 59p. Golden Vale shares are now down 8 per cent since the boardroom upheaval that saw the exit of chief executive, Mr Jim O'Mahony, and there is little appetite in the market for the shares.

Meanwhile, a positive statement on current trading to the annual meeting maintained interest in Jurys, which was unchanged on 280p.

Unidare was 10p lower on 180p as the company lines up the £5 million sale of its plastics division, while Tullow eased back 1 1/2p to 104p after Friday's big jump which provoked a statement from the company about its exploration programme in Pakistan.