Market regains lost ground

THE ISEQ returned to positive territory yesterday after faltering slightly on Thursday.

The index climbed 33.35 points to 2,497.23 as hopes grew that European leaders would combine efforts to find a solution to finally tackle the eurozone debt crisis.

Despite the rally, Irish financial stocks finished weaker on the day with Bank of Ireland and AIB both losing 0.1c to 7.5c and 4.3c. Irish Life & Permanent was 0.7c worse off at 2c. Meanwhile, Insurance group FBD Holdings climbed 22.5c to €6.57.