Market rises above 3,000 points

The ISEQ index edged back above 3,000 points yesterday, up 18.07 points at 3,007.79. Markets were lifted by the approval of a new eurozone budget discipline pact, which will be signed in March.

Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos said negotiators had made significant progress in talks to strike a restructuring deal for Greek government debt, with the aim of having a definitive agreement by the end of this week.

In the financial sector, Bank of Ireland added 0.3c to 11.4c. AIB gained 0.1c to 7.7c. Irish Life & Permanent slipped 0.3c to 3.2c, while insurance group FBD Holdings was unchanged at €7.00.