Market advances in line with peers

THE ISEQ started the new week with a gain of 36.96 points to 2,823.94 yesterday.

Other European shares gained after investor confidence rose on signs the situation at Japan’s nuclear plant was improving, with telecoms lifted by Deutsche Telekom’s sale of T-Mobile USA to AT &T. Elsewhere, the euro extended gains against the dollar, rising above $1.42 for the first time since November as risk appetite recovered.

In the financial sector, AIB was unchanged at 20c. Bank of Ireland gained 1.1c to 30.1c. Irish Life & Permanent improved 4.5c to 65.5c, while insurance company FBD Holdings rose 7c to 7.37.

In the construction sector CRH increased 15c to €15.57. Grafton Group added 2.1c to €3.32. Kingspan fell 8c to €6.32, while Abbey Group was unmoved at €5.20.