Market gains after a sluggish start

THE ISEQ gained ground yesterday despite a sluggish start as markets reacted to the announcement by the French and German governments that they are soon to unveil measures aimed at tackling the eurozone debt crisis.

The Irish exchange closed the day up 28.13 points at 2,590.90.

Financial stocks were mixed, with AIB gaining 0.4c to 4.5c and Bank of Ireland dropping 0.1c to 9.3c. Irish Life & Permanent was 0.1c higher at 3.1c. Meanwhile, insurance group FBD Holdings shed 9.9c to €6.40.