Market ends week with a climb

THE ISEQ index progressed 73.77 points yesterday to close for the week at 2,523.01.

World markets rebounded as a ban on the short-selling of financial shares in France, Spain, Italy and Belgium tempted investors back into the market. Also, rumours surrounding Societe Generale and the French sovereign's triple-A status were disregarded by markets. French 10-year bond yields are at 3.05%, their lowest level since November 2010.

In the financial sector, Bank of Ireland was unchanged at 9.5c. AIB dipped 0.1c to 6.8c. Irish Life & Permanent lost 0.1c to 3c, while insurance group FBD Holdings gained 5c to €6.25.