Figures from the Irish Stock Exchange show that the volume of trading in shares remained steady last year compared with 2009, but the value of those share dealings fell.
The ISE's review of 2010 showed that there were just over 2.1 million trades, or just over 8,300 a day, little changed from the 2009 figures.
But turnover fell 14.6% to €45.6 billion, due to a drop in turnover in the second half of 2010. The value of companies listed on the stock exchange rose by 7% during the year to €48 billion.
The ISE figures also show that its junior stock exchange, the ESM market, was the top performing share index in 2010, rising by 21%. The ESM was this week joined by AIB. The ISEQ financial index dropped by 61%. The overall ISEQ index fell 3%.
Turnover in Irish Government bonds and treasury bills hit a record high of €226 billion in 2010.
