ISEQ boosted by news from US

The ISEQ index advanced 40.70 points to break back over the 3,000-point mark at 3,023.34.

Brokers noted that the boost is coming from the US, as the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday that interest rates are expected to stay at their current low level into 2014.

In the financial sector, Bank of Ireland tacked on 3c to 11.6c. AIB added 0.3c to 7.8c. Irish Life & Permanent dropped 0.1c to 3c, while insurance group FBD Holdings improved 5c to close at €7.05.