Market rises on low volumes

THE ISEQ index gained 22.13 points to 2,853.96 in quiet trading yesterday as the year-end holiday period moves closer.

European shares added to recent gains while Wall Street also rose with investor appetite for stocks lifted by a number of merger deals and the expected congressional approval of a tax-cut extension.

In the financial sector, AIB added 2.1c to 46c. Bank of Ireland increased 3.6c to 42.3c. Irish Life & Permanent moved up 4c to €1.20 while insurance group FBDHoldings dropped 15c to €5.80.