Market advances on summit hopes

THE ISEQ index began the week with a strong start,moving up 61.74 points to 2,691.30.

Shares traded higher throughout Europe as investors were encouraged on hopes of progress towards a plan to help ease the region’s debt crisis.

However, final decisions on a plan, which include recapitalising the banks and leveraging the rescue fund, will not be made until tomorrow and sharp differences remain over the size of losses that private holders of Greek government bonds will have to accept.