Market gains ahead of Greek vote

THE ISEQ advanced 34.50 to 2,907.42 yesterday as investors await a vote of confidence in the Greek parliament.

Yesterday’s vote follows a eurozone ultimatum that Athens must approve a new five-year package of tough economic reforms in two weeks or lose a €12bn aid package that it needs to avoid bankruptcy.

In the financial sector, Bank of Ireland gained 0.2c to 12.9c. AIB added 0.1c to 16.1c. Irish Life & Permanent slipped 0.1c to 6.9c, while insurance company FBD Holdings was 1c off at €7.20.

In the construction sector, CRH jumped 41.5c to €14.73. Grafton Group decreased 0.5c to €3.35, while Kingspan shed 1c to €7.

In other news, Ryanair said it has signed a deal with China’s Comac to design a plane that will carry 200 passengers and rival its fleet of Boeing 737s. The shares closed up 5.4c at €3.57.