Market heavyweights advance

THE ISEQ index progressed 15.97 points to end the day at 2,835.41 yesterday.

European equities bounced back in thin year-end trading, helped by firmer utilities and car shares. In Dublin, index heavyweights CRH and Kerry Group lead the way with many buyers of the stocks.

In the financial sector, AIB said it has transferred loans for a further 217 customers to NAMA totalling €9.3bn for an aggregate discount of 59%. AIB declined 4c to 41c. Bank of Ireland dipped 0.4c to 31.5c. Irish Life & Permanent fell back 4.8c to 91.2c, while insurance group FBD Holdings was also weaker, down 4.8c at €6.12.