Markets gain across Europe

The ISEQ index added 60.55 points to close at 3,068.34 yesterday.

Other European stocks were stronger, buoyed by hopes of an agreement in Greek debt swap talks and better-than-expected Chinese manufacturing data. In the US, the pace of growth in the manufacturing sector picked up in January to its highest level since June last year, as new orders improved, according to an industry report released yesterday.

In the construction sector, CRH progressed 36c to €15.50. Grafton Group added 2.1c to €2.71, while Kingspan improved 15.8c to €7.30.